Non-invasive evaluation of global ventricular functions in coronary artery disease by exercise radionuclide angiocardiography.

ABSTRACT

Rest and exercise radionuclide angiocardiographic measurement of left ventricular functions were obtained in 12 normal subjects (group I) and 42 patients with well documented coronary artery disease (group II). Additionally thirty-five patients had an exercise tread mill test. Resting left ventricular ejection fraction less than 50% provided the greatest diagnostic information. Exercise was induced by supine bicycle exercise ergometer. In group II 32 patients of coronary artery disease with normal global ventricular function at rest, new regions of dysfunction developed during exercise and global ejection fraction fell by 8 to 15 percent while in group I there was an increase in LVEF and no areas of any ventricular wall motion abnormalities were detected. Exercise radionuclide angiocardiography is a useful non invasive technique which permits accurate assessment of the presence and functional severity of coronary artery disease.