Radiology, Vol 132, 697-702, Copyright © 1979 by Radiological Society of North America
Exercise radionuclide ventriculography: practical considerations and sensitivity of coronary artery disease detection
TJ Brady, JH Thrall, JM Clare, WL Rogers, K Lo and B Pitt
Eighty-nine patients were evaluated for coronary artery disease (CAD) with
exercise radionuclide ventriculography (ERV) and contrast coronary
angiography. In 70 patients with documented lesions the ERV was abnormal in
65 for a sensitivity of 93%. In patients with normal coronary arteries, the
ERV was abnormal in none for a specificity of 100%. Sensitivity of ERV for
detecting CAD was affected by the level of exercise achieved. In patients
with documented CAD who achieved adequate exercise (i.e., pressure rate
product (PRP) greater than 250 or the development of angina or ST segment
depression during exercise), the sensitivity was 98% (56 of 57 patients).
In those with documented CAD who failed to achieve adequate exercise, the
sensitivity was 69% (9 of 13 patients).
