The usefulness of fatty acid imaging in the detection of cardiomyopathy was evaluated by comparing thallium and BMIPP myocardial distribution in Bio 14.6 Syrian Hamster (25 week ages). Autoradiography was performed in 3 using 3.7 MBq (100 microCi) of 125I-BMIPP and 37 MBq (1 mCi) of 201TlCl. In vivo pin-hole imaging was performed in 3 using 37 MBq (1 mCi) of 123I-BMIPP and 37 MBq (1 mCi) of 201TlCl. In all cardiomyopathic hamsters decreased uptake of BMIPP compared to that of thallium was demonstrated. These findings suggest dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with severe focal alteration in the substrate used for the performance of myocardial work. In conclusion, myocardial imaging using BMIPP may be useful for early detection of myocardial degeneration compared to thallium in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.