[Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and radionuclide angiography for the evaluation of outpatients with suspected coronary disease].

Combined ECG/myocardial perfusion szintigraphy (MPS) exercise tests were performed in 82 out-patients with suspected CAD who eventually underwent left heart catheterization. The sensitivity of MPS as compared to ECG was higher in patients with angina (86% vs. 67%) as well as in patients with atypical symptoms (63% vs. 25%). Here MPS was also more specific than ECG (86% vs. 68%). Combination of both tests improved sensitivity even more. The comparison of radionuclide and contrast ventriculography in 20 patients studied at rest revealed an excellent correlation (r = 0.90). Changes in radionuclide ejection fraction during exercise in 60 subjects showed significant differences between normals (increase of greater than 10% above resting level) and patients with CAD (decrease in patients with angina, no significant change without angina). Methods and indications are briefly discussed in the light of this experience.