Reversibly dysfunctional myocardium caused by chronic reduction of coronary perfusion was named as hibernating myocardium. The clinical characteristics, however, was not well studied.

To observed the effects of revascularization on regional wall motion(RWM) abnormalities in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease, letf ventriculogram and dipyridamole stress Tl reinjection scan with reinjection imagine were done in 60 patients with angina or old myocardial infarction before and after PTCA. Subjects were divided into two groups, group A(21 patients, improved RWM after PTCA) and group B(39 patients, no change or aggravated RWM after PTCA).

There were no significant differences in age and sex distribution between two group. Single vessel disease was more prevalent in group A (7/21, 33.3%) than in group B(1/39, 2.6%, p<0.05), and old myocardial infarction was more prevalent in group B(24/39, 61.5%) compared to group A(7/21, 33.3%, p<0.05). Reversible perfusion defects on Tl scan were found in 19 patients, 15 of whom(78.9%) showed improved RWM after PTCA.

Hibernating myocardium was more prevalent in single vessel disease and angina patients. Sensitivity of Tl reinjection scan for detection of viable myocardium was 78.9%.