title: [Single-photon emission computed tomography for the assessment of ventricular perfusion and function].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can be used as a non-invasive tool for the assessment of coronary perfusion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess ventricular perfusion and function by SPECT in patients with single vessel coronary artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among patients with indications for a coronary artery angiography, those with significant lesions in one vessel, were selected for the study. Within 24 hours, cardiac SPECT examinations on basal conditions and after high doses of dipyridamole, were performed. SPECT data from 38 patients with a low probability of coronary artery disease was used for comparisons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten patients aged 61 ± 8 years (seven men) were studied. Visual analysis of SPECT revealed signs suggestive of ischemia in eight patients. The remaining two patients did not have perfusion disturbances. SPECT detected eight of ten abnormal vessels reported in the coronary artery angiography. There were two false negative results Summed stress, summed rest and summed difference scores were 9.78 ± 6.51, 3.22 ± 5.07 and 6.33 ± 4.97, respectively. The ejection fractions under stress and at rest were 53 ± 11.7% and 61 ± 15.7% respectively (p < 0.01). The figures for the control group were 69.1 ± 13.5% and 75.2 ± 12.04% respectively (significantly different from patients). Two patients had a summed motion score above 14.9. Likewise, two patients had a summed thickening score above 10.9.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPECT detected 80% of coronary lesions found during coronary artery angiography. Visual analysis of perfusion is highly reliable for diagnosis. Quantitative parameters must be considered only as reference parameters.
authors: Patricio
authors: P
authors: González
authors: Gastón
authors: G
authors: Dussaillant
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Gutiérrez
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Berrocal
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Alay
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Otárola
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D055420:Perfusion Imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*