Serial assessment of sympathetic reinnervation in a patient with myocardial infarction.

Resting [123I]MIBG and 201TI imaging were performed at 2 wk and 4 and 12 mo after successfully reperfused myocardial infarction. Although [123I]MIBG uptake of the infarcted segments revealed significant improvement in the early image at 4 mo, delayed image displayed decreased [123I]MIBG uptake. However, decreased [123I]MIBG uptake of the delayed image became almost uniform at 12 mo. These observations suggest that reinnervation initially occurs in norepinephrine uptake and then in retention ability. On the other hand, a 201TI defect remained in the infarcted segments at 12 mo. Thus, reinnervation can occur not only in the peri-infarct area but also in the infarcted area.