[Quantitative equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography at rest in the evaluation of the severity of coronary disease]

Abstract

The results of examining 373 patients with a quantitative equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography were stored in a data bank and evaluated statistically. The following left ventricular parameters were evaluated: global and regional ejection fractions ( gEF , rEF1 - rEF5 ) and volume parameters (EDV, ESV, stroke volume, cardiac output, heart index). It appeared that in stages I and II of coronary heart disease evaluation of gEF , EDV and ESV under resting conditions does not sufficiently discriminate diseased patients from normals. Significant changes (p less than 0.025) of these parameters (vs. normal) were found only in CHD III and IV or in patients with a history of old myocardial infarction. The additional evaluation of the regional fraction yields, however, a significant increase (CHD I and II: +25%) of the sensitivity of the equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease.