Comparison of angiographic with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy findings in cardiac syndrome X (CSX).

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is defined by an angina-like chest pain, a positive response to stress testing and normal or near normal coronary angiogram. We evaluated the angiographic findings in patients with cardiac syndrome X and compared it with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy findings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 39 females aged 40-58 years (mean, 49.79 +/- 4.69 [SD] and 13 males ranging from 40 to 54 years (mean, 47.54 +/- 3.76 [SD] with CSX. By reviewing the angiographic film, some variables including stenosis (less than 30% of vessel diameter), delay run off, delay wash out, calcification and tortuosity were evaluated. Thirty-two had been undergone on myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).

RESULTS

The most frequent abnormal angiographic finding in three territories was stenosis item. Overall, 22 of 32 (68.75%) CSX patients had ischemia on MPI. The result of the myocardial perfusion imaging was not concordant with five angiographic findings.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that the presence of angiographic coronary findings such as stenosis, delay run off, delay wash out, calcification and tortuosity are not invariably associated with atherosclerosis, and also seen in CSX patients.