Left ventricular functional changes after adenosine vasodilator stress evaluated by gated single-photon emission computed tomography.

Objectives: Gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging is useful in assessing left ventricular (LV) myocardial perfusion and function. This study evaluated the LV functional changes after adenosine vasodilator stress, using gated SPECT. Methods:The study population consisted of 70 patients who underwent adenosine-mediated stress and rest SPECT. All patients underwent coronary angiography. Semi-quantitative assessment of perfusion was analyzed and produced the summed rest score (SRS), the summed stress score (SSS) and the summed difference score (SDS). The global LV function parameters [ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV)] and regional LV function [the summed motion score (SMS) and the summed thickening score (STS)] were quantified by gated SPECT. Results: Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 comprised 16 patients with worsening of LVEF (LVEFrest-LVEFado >= 5%), and group 2 comprised the other 54 patients. Compared with group 2, patients in group 1 had a significantly higher SSS and SDS (9.1 +/- 6.8 vs. 5.6 +/- 4.5 and 6.6 +/- 3.8 vs. 3.6 +/- 4.0, respectively; p < 0.05) and the severity of coronary artery stenosis was more serious (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Worsening of LVEF after adenosine-induced vasodilator stress, as shown by Tc-99m-MIBI gated SPECT, is a valuable nonperfusion marker of significant CAD. Copyright (C) 20135. Karger AG, Basel