Effect of exercise level on the diagnostic accuracy of thallium-201 SPECT scintigraphy.
The sensitivity of electrocardiographic ST analysis for detecting coronary artery disease is markedly decreased in patients unable to exercise vigorously. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Thallium-201 SPECT scintigraphy at various exercise levels, we evaluated 179 patients without evidence of prior myocardial infarction or other confounding factors who performed symptom-limited exercise with Thallium-201 SPECT scintigraphy. Sensitivity decreased from 89% in those patients achieving greater than or equal to 85% of maximal heart rate to 63% in those achieving less than 65%. Like ST segment analysis, Thallium 201 SPECT scintigraphy has decreased diagnostic yield at low levels of exertion.
Meyers
D G
DG
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-2265.
Hankins
J H
JH
Keller
D M
DM
Bagin
R G
RG
D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013794:Thallium Radioisotopes; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D013794:Thallium Radioisotopes