Prevalence and significance of reversible radionuclide ischemic perfusion defects in symptomatic aortic valve disease patients with or without concomitant coronary disease.

To determine the prevalence and significance of exercise-induced localized perfusion defects in symptomatic patients with aortic valve disease, thallium-201 rest and exercise studies were performed in a consecutive series of 29 such patients prior to left heart catheterization with coronary arteriography. Eight patients had repeat studies after aortic valve replacement. Twelve of 17 patients with predominant aortic regurgitation (AR) had distinct LV apical defects during exercise despite normal coronary arteries, while 10 of 12 patients with aortic valve disease and associated coronary artery disease (CAD) had localized perfusion defects in LV areas other than the apex. In patients with AR, reversible apical perfusion defects can occur without CAD; these apical defects are probably a reflection of severe LV volume overload in AR. LV perfusion defects in areas other than the apex are specific for CAD in aortic valve disease, and concomitant CAD may not provoke regional LV perfusion deficits in aortic stenosis patients with severe LV hypertrophy.