腺苷和运动试验201T1心肌灌注显像诊断女性冠心病价值比较

目的对比腺苷试验和运动试验201T1心肌灌注显像诊断女性冠心病的价值。方法采用随机对照研究,观察138例女性冠心病疑似病例,按随机数字表法将其分为腺苷试验组和运动试验组,每组69例,分别进行201T1心肌灌注显像,并在1周内行冠状动脉造影检查。负荷心肌灌注显像按心肌缺血严重程度与缺血范围分析,冠状动脉造影按主要血管狭窄程度（〉50％为冠心病）分析。以冠状动脉造影结果为“金标准”,比较腺苷和运动试验对女性冠心病的诊断灵敏度、准确性、阴性预测值和假阳性率。2组间比较采用x2检验或确切概率法。结果腺苷试验方法对女性冠心病诊断的灵敏度、阴性预测值、准确性分别为88．2％（45／51）、72．7％（16／22）和88．4％（61／69）;运动试验组分别为91．7％（44／48）、66．7％（8／12）和81．2％（52／64）,二者间差异无统计学意义（x2=0．571,n714,0．249,P〉0．05）。腺苷试验组假阳性率低于运动试验组[11．1％（2／18）与50．0％（8／16）,P=0．023]。结论对于女性冠心病患者,腺苷试验心肌灌注显像与运动试验心肌灌注显像同样有效,且腺苷试验的诊断假阳性率低。     

阿托品-4 min腺苷负荷心肌灌注显像对冠心病的临床诊断价值

目的 评价阿托品-4 min腺苷负荷试验心肌灌注显像对冠心病的临床诊断价值.方法 将研究对象按性别、年龄、冠心病的严重程度[依据冠状动脉(简称冠脉)造影结果]及合并症等进行配对,分为阿托品-4 min腺苷负荷组(研究组)和6 min腺苷负荷组(对照组),每组28例.研究组在注射腺苷前10 min静脉注射阿托品0.5 mg.2组病例分别经肘静脉用注射泵持续注入腺苷,剂量为按体质量0.14 mg·kg-1·min-1,用药时间为4和6 min,于注射腺苷3 min末,分别从肘静脉注入99Tcm-甲氧基异丁基异腈(MIBI)740 MBq.腺苷负荷心肌灌注显像在注射显像剂后1.5 h进行,隔日进行静息心肌灌注显像.结果 (1)研究组和对照组腺苷负荷心肌显像诊断冠心病心肌缺血的灵敏度、特异性、准确性分别为85%,6/8,82%和86%,5/7,82%,2组比较χ2均＜0.001,P均＞0.05.(2)研究组腺苷负荷试验诊断单支、双支、三支冠脉狭窄病变的灵敏度分别为6/7,8/9和3/4,对照组分别为7/8,7/8和4/5,组间比较χ2均＜0.001,P＞0.05.(3)研究组和对照组不良反应总的发生率分别为82%和89%;2组各不良反应发生率除胸闷(43%和68%)差异有统计学意义(χ2=4.000,P＜0.05)以外,其余表现2组比较差异均无统计学意义.结论 阿托品-4 min腺苷负荷心肌灌注显像对冠心病心肌缺血有较高的诊断价值,可达到6 min腺苷负荷试验的诊断效能,且胸闷发生率低,更安全简便.     

99Tcm-N-NOET负荷和延迟门控心肌灌注显像对高血压患者的临床价值

Objective To investigate clinical significance of the 99Tcm-bis (N-ethoxy-N-ethyl-dithiocarbamato) nitridotechnetium(99Tcm-N-NOET) exercise and delayed myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in hypertensive patients. Methods Sixty patients with hypertension and 19 normal subjects were carried out 99Tcm-N-NOET exercise and delayed MPI, and analyzed the results of MPI, exercise electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac function parameters end-diastolic volume(EDV), end-systolic volume(ESV), left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), △ LVEF (LV EF exercis-LVEF delay) and coronary angiography(CAG). Results ① Sixty patients with hypertension, 22 cases(36.7%)of exercise ECG were abnormal, 16 cases (26.7%)were the chest tightness in exercise, 13 cases (21.7%) were blood pressure excessive reaction in exercise; control group, 2 cases (10.5%) of exercise ECG were abnormal, 1 case (5.3%, 1/19) was chest tightness in exercise,no per-son was blood pressure response in excessive. ②The positive rate of myocardial perfusion in hyper tensive group was significantly higher than the control group (31.75％ vs.5.30％, P<0.05). ③Cardial function parameters in hypertension group [exercise EDV =(79.75 ±29.10)ml, ESV =(28.82 ± 15.73)ml, LVEF =(65.78 ±1.27)%; delay EDV=(81.42±3.47)ml, ESV=(30.62±2.05)ml, LVEF=(64.20±9.70)%] and control group[exercise EDV=(79.63 ±21.65)ml, ESV=(27.37±10.71)ml, LVEF=(66.42±1.55)%; delay EDV=(82.89±4.96)ml,ESV=(31.42±3.06)ml, LVEF=(63.16 ±7.54)%] were no statistical difference(exercise EDV: t=0.161, ESV: t=0.112, LVEF: t=0.261; delay EDV: t=0.276, ESV: t=0.197, LVEF: t=0.184, P>0.05), △ LVEF<0%, 28 cases (46.7%) in hypertension group, 4 cases (21.1%) in control group, χ2=3.929, P<0.05; 11 cases (57.9%) in MPI positive group, 12 cases (29.3％) in MPI negative group, χ2=4.501, P<0.05. ④Nineteen hypertension underwent CAG, 11 cases were abnormal, 8 cases were normal. MPI results: 9 cases were ischemia, 10 cases were normal, and they were no statistical difference (χ2=0.25, P>0.05). The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of 99Tcm-N-NOET MPI were 72.7％, 87.5％ and 78.9％. Conclusions ①99Tcm-N-NOET exercise and delayed MPI can diagnose whether hypertension patients with myocardial ischemia or not. ② △ LVEF of hypertensive patients reduced, △ LVEF is lower in hypertensive patients of MPI-positive.     

腺苷负荷13N-NH3 PET心肌灌注显像结合冠状动脉CTA诊断冠心病

目的 评价腺苷负荷13N-NH3PET心肌灌注显像(MPI)与CT冠状动脉造影(CTA)相结合对提高冠心病(CAD)诊断准确性的临床应用价值.方法 对25例怀疑CAD的患者同时行腺苷负荷13N-NH3MPI及CTA,1个月内行导管法冠状动脉造影(CAG).结果 (1)25例患者共300个冠状动脉节段,CTA显示良好节段为263个,显示率(显示良好节段所占百分比)达87.7%.(2)25例患者CTA、MPI及CTA+MPI诊断CAD的灵敏度、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为82.1%(23/28),87.5%(14/16)及93.8%(15/16);93.2%(219/235),8/9及9/9;92.O%(242/263),88.0%(22/25)及96.0%(24/25);58.9%(23/29),93.3%(14/15)及100.0%(15/15);97.8%(219/224),8/10及9/10.结论 PET/CT实现了同机腺苷负荷"N-NH3PET心肌灌注显像与CTA相结合,提高了诊断CAD的准确性.     

国产腺苷介入心肌灌注断层显像对心肌缺血的诊断价值

目的评价国产腺苷负荷心肌灌注断层显像对心肌缺血的诊断价值及腺苷试验的安全性。方法 102例临床疑冠心病患者行腺苷负荷/静息~(99)Tc~m-甲氧基异丁基异腈(MIBI)心肌灌注断层显像,其中70例显像1周内又行冠状动脉(简称冠脉)造影检查。腺苷按体重0.84 mg·kg~(-1)通过输液泵静脉双通路给药,对心肌灌注断层显像图作定性分析。结果 70例行冠脉造影者中正常31例,有冠脉狭窄病变者39例(单支病变19例,双支病变10例,3支病变10例);共检出病变血管69支,累及左前降支32支,左回旋支16支,右冠脉20支,左主干1支。腺苷负荷心肌灌注断层显像正常33例,心肌缺血37例,其对冠心病心肌缺血诊断的灵敏度为82.05%(32/39例),特异性为83.87%(26/31例),准确性为82.86%(58/70例),阳性预测值为86.49%(32/37例),阴性预测值为78.79%(26/33例)。对各病变血管检出的灵敏度为:左前降支75.00%(24/32支),左回旋支62.50%(10/16支),右冠脉80.00%(16/20支)。对单支、双支、3支血管病变诊断的灵敏度分别为68 42%、90.00%和100%。腺苷负荷心肌灌注断层显像对病变冠脉诊断总灵敏度为73.53%(50/68支),特异性96.48%(137/142支),准确性89.05%(187/210支),阳性预测值90.91%(50/55支),阴性预测值88.39%(137/155支)。腺苷试验不良反应轻,时间短,发生率为85.29%(87/102例)。结论国产腺苷负荷试验介入~(99)Tc~m-MIBI 心肌灌注断层显像安全可靠。     

心肌灌注显像腺苷负荷试验致心电图改变分析

目的 评价腺苷负荷心肌灌注显像中患者的心电图变化.方法 回顾性分析2008年5月至12月完成腺苷负荷心肌灌注显像的641例患者腺苷药物负荷试验心电图变化和心肌灌注显像结果.统计学分析采用SAS 8.0软件,单因素分析采用t检验和χ2检验,多因素分析采用Logistic 回归分析.结果 腺苷注射前,641例患者中心电图正常436例(68.0%),心电图异常205例(32.0%).腺苷注射过程中新出现心律失常132例(20.6%,132/641),其中房性早搏39例(29.5%),室性早搏45例(34.1%),窦房阻滞8例(6.1%),一度房室传导阻滞7例(5.3%),二度Ⅰ型房室传导阻滞26例(19.7%),二度Ⅱ型房室传导阻滞6例(4.5%),三度房室传导阻滞1例(0.8%);需停药13例(9.8%).腺苷注射终止后新出现心律失常28例(4.4%,28/641),其中房性早搏16例(57.1%),室性早搏11例(39.3%),窦房阻滞1例(3.6%).641例患者腺负荷试验中共35例(5.5%)出现心电图ST段压低＞0.1 mV,39例(6.1%)予停药处理,无一例急性心肌梗死及猝死;心肌灌注显像结果:36例心肌缺血改变,8例心肌梗死改变.Logistic回归分析示,用腺苷药前、中、后心律失常并不增加出现心肌缺血及心肌梗死改变的风险[P=0.9613,比值比(OR)=0.982,95%可信区间(CI)0.471～2.046;P=0.9511,OR＜0.001,95%CI:＜0.001,＞999.999;P=0.9931,OR＜0.001,95%CI:＜0.001,＞999.999],并且腺苷注射过程中出现与未出现房室传导阻滞患者的阳性心肌灌注显像结果及ST段压低的发生率差异均无统计学意义(χ2=2.5298,0.5317,P均＞0.05).ST段压低＞0.1 mV的患者出现阳性心肌灌注显像结果的风险增加(P=0.0005,OR=5.608,95%CI2.110～14.905).结论 腺苷负荷试验过程中心电图异常发生率较高,但多为一过性,出现心律失常并不意味着有心肌缺血.     

腺苷负荷99mTc-MIBI心肌SPECT/CT显像诊断冠心病及检测存活心肌的研究

 目的 评价国产腺苷负荷心肌灌注断层显像对心肌缺血的诊断及腺苷试验的安全性.方法 60例临床疑似冠心病的患者行腺苷负荷99mTc-MIBI(甲氧基异丁基异腈)心肌灌注断层显像,其中40例行冠脉造影检查.腺苷按0.84 mg/kg通过输液泵静脉双通路给药,对心肌灌注显像图作定性分析.结果 60例患者行冠脉造影者40例,其中正常8例,1支以上狭窄≥50%者32例,其中病变为单支11例,双支14例,3支7例.60例行腺苷负荷心肌灌注显像检查总阳性率为80%(48/60).腺苷试验不良反应轻时间短,发生率为80%(48/60).结论 腺苷负荷心肌灌注显像安全可靠.     

腺苷试验与运动试验201Tl心肌灌注显像对冠心病诊断价值的比较

目的比较腺苷试验与运动试验^201Tl心肌灌注显像对冠心病的诊断价值。方法将41例临床疑诊冠心病患者随机分为两组,一组进行腺苷试验^201Tl心肌灌注显像,一组进行运动试验^201Tl心肌灌注显像。两组试验对象均同期（2周内）行冠状动脉造影术。以冠状动脉狭窄≥50%作为冠心病诊断的“金标准”,比较两种负荷方法对冠心病的诊断价值。结果腺苷试验^201Tl心肌灌注显像对冠心病诊断的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测率、阴性预测率、准确率分别为92.86%、57.14%、81.25%、80.0%、80.95%,运动试验^201Tl心肌灌注显像分别为100%、60.0%、71.43%、100%、80.0%,两种负荷方法对病变冠状动脉的检出率分别为66.67%和72.22%。结论两种负荷方法诊断冠心病的总体效能无显著差异。     

国产腺苷试验与运动试验心肌显像比较

负荷试验心肌灌注显像对冠心病的诊断和评价有重要价值.笔者利用国产腺苷作为核素心肌灌注显像负荷药物,评价其对冠心病的诊断价值,并与运动试验心肌灌注显像比较,现报道如下.     

99Tcm-MIBI心肌灌注显像对代谢综合征患者并发冠心病的评价

目的 探讨核素心肌灌注显像对代谢综合征患者并发冠心病的诊断价值.方法 回顾性分析251例[男179例,女72例,年龄(59±10)岁]代谢综合征患者99Tcm-甲氧基异丁基异腈(MIBI)心肌灌注显像的结果,与冠状动脉造影进行比较,计算99Tc-MIBI心肌灌注显像诊断冠心病的灵敏度、特异性和准确性.结果 在251例代谢综合征患者中,163例(65%)患者冠状动脉造影示有狭窄病变,99Tcm-MIBI心肌灌注显像检出心肌缺血或心肌梗死116例;88例冠状动脉造影阴性患者中,82例心肌灌注显像结果正常;99Tcm-MIBI心肌灌注显像诊断冠心病的灵敏度为71%(116/163),特异性为93%(82/88),阳性预测值为95%(116/122),阴性预测值为64%(82/129),准确性为79%(198/251).诊断单支、双支和三支冠状动脉病变患者的灵敏度分别为58%(36/61),61%(22/36)和87%(57/66).结论 99Tcm-MIBI心肌灌注显像对检测代谢综合征患者有无并发冠心病有重要的应用价值.     

99Tcm-替曲膦心肌灌注显像诊断冠心病的临床价值

目的 评价99Tcm-替曲膦MPI对冠心病的诊断价值.方法 对73例临床怀疑冠心病的患者[男46例,女27例,年龄(61.16±12.95)岁],行99Tcm-TF MPI,第1天行静息显像,次日行运动或药物负荷显像.1周内行CAG,以其结果为“金标准”,计算99Tcm-TF MPI诊断冠心病的灵敏度、特异性和准确性等.结果 在73例患者中,43例CAG阳性,其中MPI阳性32例,阴性11例.单支病变27例,双支病变10例,三支病变6例.共65支病变血管,累及LAD 33支,LCX 16支,RCA 16支.30例CAG阴性,其中MPI阴性25例,阳性5例.99Tcm-TF MPI对冠心病诊断的灵敏度74.4％(32/43),特异性83.3％(25/30),阳性预测值86.5％(32/37),阴性预测值69.4％(25/36),准确性为78.1％(57/73).诊断单支、双支及三支病变患者的灵敏度分别为66.7％(18/27)、80.0％(8/10)和5/6.99Tcm-TF MPI诊断病变血管的灵敏度为67.7％(44/65),特异性为89.0％ (137/154).结论 99Tcm-TF MPI对冠心病有较好的诊断价值,是继99Tcm-MIBI之后又一优良的心肌灌注显像剂.     

核素心肌灌注显像诊断代谢综合征心肌缺血的研究

目的评估代谢综合征（Ms）患者心肌缺血及相关危险因素,探讨核素心肌灌注显像诊断冠心病的价值。方法140例住院患者分为3组：MS组（82例）,高血压病组（EH组,38例）,2型糖尿病组（T2DM组,20例）。3组均又分为运动负荷组和静息组,采用单光子发射计算机断层核素心肌灌注显像（SPECT MPI）的方法检测各组心肌缺血情况。结果MS组心肌缺血率为81．7％,重度缺血率为56．8％,均高于其他两组（P〈0．05）。核素检查运动负荷组缺血率为81．7％,明显高于静息组（P〈0．01）。BMI、腹围、血TG、血HDL-C与缺血有相关性。结论与EH组和T2DM组患者相比,MS组患者心肌缺血率和严重程度最高;其中MS某些组分与心肌缺血密切相关;心肌核素检查用于诊断早中期心肌缺血、判断中度危险的冠心病有临床价值。     

99Tcm-替曲膦与99Tcm-MIBI心肌灌注显像诊断无症状心肌缺血的比较研究

目的 比较99Tcm-替曲膦(TF)与99Tcm-MIBI腺苷负荷-静息MPI在无症状心肌缺血(SMI)患者中的应用价值.方法 选择符合WHO冠心病诊断标准的Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型SMI患者,分别为122、112和72例,各型SMI均按完全随机法分为2组,分别行99Tcm-MIBI及99Tcm-TF腺苷负荷-静息MPI.306例患者的冠心病经心电图(46例)、动态心电图(219例)和CAG(41例)证实.比较2种显像方法的心肌缺血诊断灵敏度及原始图像质量.数据比较采用x2检验及方差分析.结果 按照心肌缺血诊断标准(负荷显像节段性放射性稀疏或缺损处静息显像时明显填充),99Tcm-MIBI和99Tcm-TF心肌显像诊断心肌缺血的灵敏度分别为:Ⅰ型:57.38％(35/61)和60.66％(37/61),x2=0.136,P＞0.05;Ⅱ型:69.64％(39/56)和64.29％(36/56),x2=0.363,P＞0.05;Ⅲ型:83.33％(30/36)和88.89％(32/36),x2=0.465,P＞0.05,3型SMI患者各2组间诊断心肌缺血的灵敏度差异均无统计学意义.原始图像质量方面,99Tcm-MIBI及99Tcm-TF显像图优(心肌影像清晰,无肝、肺、血本底干扰)者百分比分别为41.18％(63/153)和48.37％(74/153),x2=1.599,P=0.206;良(心肌影像尚清晰,但肝可见放射性,无明显血液本底)者百分比分别为45.10％(69/153)和34.64％(53/153),x2=3.489,p=0.062;中(心肌显影,肝放射性高,血液本底低)者百分比分别为13.72％(21/153)和16.99％(26/153),x2=0.628,P=0.428,差异均无统计学意义.图像总体质量良好,无不合格图像.注射99Tcm-TF者较注射99Tcm-MIBI者肝、肺放射性清除快,与心肌放射性摄取差异较大,对心脏下壁及心尖部显示影响较小,且至少缩短1h待检时间.结论 99Tcm-TF可获得与99Tcm-MIBI同等的心肌缺血诊断显像效果,且肝、肺清除快,图像质量较好,可有效缩短患者待检时问,有很好的应用前景.     

99Tcm-替曲膦在冠心病诊断中的应用

目的 探讨99Tcm-替曲膦(TF)在CHD诊断中的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析2009年10月至2011年4月疑诊CHD并行99Tcm-TF或99Tcm-MTBI腺苷负荷-静息MPI的患者各40例,比较2种放射性药物心肌显像的心肺摄取比(H/L).行99Tcm-TF显像的患者显像前后3个月内均行CAG,以冠状动脉狭窄≥50％为标准计算99Tcm-TF显像对CHD的诊断效能.对99Tcm-TF及99Tcm-MIBI H/L间差异行配对t检验,率的比较行x2检验.结果 99Tcm-TF心肌静息及负荷显像H/L分别为6.73±1.21及6.94±1.69,99Tcm-MIBI显像的相应值分别为6.58±1.94及6.64±1.81,2种显像方法H/L间差异无统计学意义(=0.41和0.78,P均＞0.05),99Tcm-TF心肌静息及负荷显像H/L差异亦无统计学意义(t=0.69,P＞0.05). 40例患者中99Tcm-TF显像阳性24例(60.0％),对应病变血管45支,其中LAD 20支,LCX 11支,RCA 14支.CAG阳性23例(57.5％,23/40),对应病变血管42支(LAD19支,LCX 12支,RCA 11支).99Tcm-TF负荷-静息MPI的灵敏度、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为87.0％(20/23)、76.5％(13/17)、82.5％(33/40)、83.3％(20/24)及81.2％(13/16).以病变血管计,99Tcm-TF MPI对LAD、LCX及RCA血管病变诊断的灵敏度分别为89.5％(17/19)、83.3％(10/12)及90.9％(10/11);阳性预测值分别为85.0％(17/20)、90.9％ (10/11)及71.4％(10/14).99Tcm-TF显像对不同血管病变的灵敏度和阳性预测值差异均无统计学意义(x2=0.377和1.789,P均＞0.05).结论 从H/L可知,99Tcm-TF显像图像质量与99Tcm-MIBI显像接近;99Tcm-TF负荷-静息MPI是诊断CHD的可靠方法.     

负荷-静息心肌灌注显像对老年人冠心病的诊断价值

目的探讨负荷-静息心肌灌注显像对老年人冠心病的诊断价值。方法205例疑诊冠心病的老年患者[≥60（67±5）岁],行^99Tc^m-甲氧基异丁基异腈（MIBI）负荷-静息心肌灌注显像（运动负荷185例,药物负荷20例）和冠状动脉造影检查,排除曾行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）及冠状动脉旁路移植术（CABG）者。以冠状动脉造影为“金标准”,评价负荷-静息心肌灌注显像诊断老年冠心病的灵敏度、特异性和准确性。采用SPSS 15．0软件对数据行χ^2检验。结果以冠状动脉管腔狭窄〉50％作为诊断标准,205例患者中冠状动脉造影阳性57例（28％）,其中单支病变30例,双支病变19例,三支病变8例。冠状动脉造影结果阳性的患者中核素负荷-静息心肌灌注显像异常者36例;冠状动脉造影阴性148例（72％）患者中,负荷-静息心肌灌注显像正常者135例。对照冠状动脉造影结果,负荷-静息心肌灌注显像对老年人冠心病总的诊断灵敏度63％（36／57）,特异性91％（135／148）,准确性83％（171／205）;对单支、双支以及三支病变的诊断灵敏度分别为57％（17／30）、58％（11／19）和8／8。行运动负荷显像患者185例,按照运动试验是否达到目标心率分为2组：组1运动试验高峰心率达到目标心率,共53例（29％）;组2运动试验高峰心率未达到目标心率,共132例（71％）。2组心肌灌注显像诊断冠心病的灵敏度分别为81％（13／16）和58％（22／38）。组1诊断灵敏度高于组2,但经χ^2检验,两者之间差异无统计学意义（χ^2=2．69,P=0．1）。结论负荷-静息心肌灌注显像是诊断老年人冠心病的可靠方法;当运动负荷达到目标心率时,核素心肌灌注显像诊断冠心病的灵敏度较高。     

Myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging in patients with myocardial bridging

BACKGROUND: Although myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging is widely used to assess myocardial ischemia in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease, only a few patients with myocardial bridging have been evaluated with nuclear techniques. Furthermore, it has been suggested that dipyridamole stress images might underestimate perfusion defects compared with exercise stress images. This study was done to determine the concordance of exercise stress SPECT images with that obtained by dipyridamole stress SPECT images as a means of detecting ischemia in patients with myocardial bridging. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixteen consecutive patients with angina and normal arteries but myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending artery underwent rest-exercise stress SPECT imaging. Within 2 weeks after angiograms were obtained, only dipyridamole stress images were repeated. The mean angiographic systolic occlusion within the myocardial bridges was 73% +/- 10%. Overall, the prevalence of an abnormal scan was no different in patients who underwent exercise stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) as compared with patients who underwent dipyridamole stress MPI (14/16 [88%] vs 13/16 [81%], respectively; P = .953). Exercise stress MPI showed a higher stress score than dipyridamole stress MPI, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (7.5 +/- 3.3 vs 6 +/- 2.7, P = .147). The strength of agreement among exercise stress MPI and dipyridamole stress MPI studies was good (kappa = 0.765; 95% CI, 0.318 to 1.211; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac SPECT studies can be used effectively for assessing ischemia in patients with angina and myocardial bridging. The evaluation of myocardial perfusion with dipyridamole stress SPECT imaging showed a good agreement with exercise stress SPECT imaging for the detection of ischemia in this group of patients.     

A comparison of adenosine and arbutamine for myocardial perfusion imaging

We have compared our standard stress protocol (adenosine combined with exercise) with the new stress agent arbutamine, for thallium-201 myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in order to assess the comparative value of arbutamine. We studied 23 patients referred for MPI, and each patient had two studies (18 males, median age 66 years, five with previous myocardial infarction). Uptake scores were assigned to each of nine segments, and the extent and severity of defects were measured using a polar plot. Haemodynamic changes were greater with arbutamine (rate-pressure product increase 78% vs 51%, P = 0.003). Symptoms were experienced by 21 patients with arbutamine and 16 with adenosine (P = 0.07). Agreement between the techniques for classification of patients as normal or as having reversible, fixed or mixed defects was good (19 of 23 studies, 83%, κ = 0.76). Agreement for similar classification of segments was also good (82%, κ = 0.71). Segmental agreement for stress scores was good (86%, κ = 0.77). However, mean size of stress defect was larger with adenosine (83±52 pixels vs 65±48 pixels, P<0.05), though severity and reversibility were similar (P = NS). We conclude that arbutamine provides comparable results to those obtained with adenosine and exercise and that the observed differences are not clinically significant. Received 6 October and in revised form 23 December 1997