[Single-photon emission computed tomography in the diagnosis of myocardial perfusion abnormalities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: preliminary data].

Increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be attributed to the fact that a systemic inflammation existing in this disease may trigger the development of atherosclerosis. 99mTC-MIBI (4,2-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile) is a compound that permits myocardial perfusion to be visualized and has been proposed for the evaluation of the latter in patients with RA. Analysis of the results of the studies revealed transient myocardial ischemia areas in patients who did not take methotrexate while those who used it were found to have diminished perfusion areas that were, however, clinical insignificant.