INTRODUCTION: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is increasingly used for the diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease. The method is particularly applied as a gate keeper before coronary angiography (CAG) in patients with intermediate probability for ischaemic heart disease. This study aimed to analyse the clinical use of MPI in a university hospital without invasive cardiological laboratory. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period 01.01.2002 to 31.12.2003, 259 patients (141 women, 118 men) were referred to MPI from our department of cardiology. RESULTS: Normal MPI was seen in 111 patients (43%), whereas reversible ischaemia was seen in 88 patients (34%) and led to referral of 52 patients (59%) to CAG. 17 patients (19%) continued clinical control, and 19 cases (22%) were closed. Correlating results between MPI and all performed CAGs were found in 42 patients (61%), and divergent results were seen in 27 (39%) patients. CONCLUSION: Referral to CAG is primarily based on the combination of the results of MPI and the clinical symptoms of ischaemic heart disease.
INTRODUCTION: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is increasingly used for the diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease. The method is particularly applied as a gate keeper before coronary angiography (CAG) in patients with intermediate probability for ischaemic heart disease. This study aimed to analyse the clinical use of MPI in a university hospital without invasive cardiological laboratory. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period 01.01.2002 to 31.12.2003, 259 patients (141 women, 118 men) were referred to MPI from our department of cardiology. RESULTS: Normal MPI was seen in 111 patients (43%), whereas reversible ischaemia was seen in 88 patients (34%) and led to referral of 52 patients (59%) to CAG. 17 patients (19%) continued clinical control, and 19 cases (22%) were closed. Correlating results between MPI and all performed CAGs were found in 42 patients (61%), and divergent results were seen in 27 (39%) patients. CONCLUSION: Referral to CAG is primarily based on the combination of the results of MPI and the clinical symptoms of ischaemic heart disease.