Evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function by radionuclide ventriculography in patients with coronary artery disease.

Radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) was used to assess the peak filling rate (PFR) in 20 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Dipyridamole RNV was used in 5 normal subjects and 10 patients with CAD with the view to evaluating PFR increase. Significant difference in PFR values was established between normal subjects and CAD patients. Decreased value of PFR was found in 78% CAD patients, and 72% of them had normal ejection fraction (EF). During dipyridamole RNV increase of PFR was not significantly different between normals and CAD patients. The peak filling rate is a very sensitive indicator of LV dysfunction in CAD patients, and is useful in early detection of abnormalities in diastolic function in CAD patients.