Assessment of coronary artery disease severity by positron emission tomography. Comparison with quantitative arteriography in 193 patients.

• DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.79.4.825
• Publication Date: 2011-06-17T20:29:13Z
• Authors: L L Demer; K L Gould; R A Goldstein; R L Kirkeeide; N A Mullani; R W Smalling; A Nishikawa; M E Merhige
• Keywords: Cardiac PET; Dipyridamole

To assess the accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) for evaluation coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac PET perfusion images were obtained at rest and with dipyridamole-handgrip stress in 193 patients undergoing arteriography. reviewed by two independent readers blinded to clinical data. Subjective defect severity scores assigned each myocardial region on a 0 (normal) 5 (severe) scale. Results compared arteriographic stenosis expressed as flow reserve (SFR), continuous values ranging from (total occlusion) (normal), calculated quantitative dimensions using automated detection vessel borders. There 115 significant CAD (SFR less than 3), 37 mild (3 or equal SFR 4), 41 essentially normal coronaries greater 4). With increasingly severe impairment reserve, subjective increased. Despite wide scatter, score 2 more was highly predictive 3). For patient, most correlated that patient's (rs = 0.77 +/- 0.06). 243 stenoses, corresponding 0.63 0.08). location closely matched supplied diseased artery, agreed whether 89% patients.