Related Experiment Videos
Thallium scans in syndrome X
A C Tweddel1, W Martin, I Hutton
1University Department of Medical Cardiology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow.
British Heart Journal
|July 1, 1992
Summary
In patients with angina and normal coronary arteriograms, thallium scans revealed defects in 98%. This suggests microvascular angina is more common than previously thought.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Angina pectoris is a common condition often investigated with coronary arteriography.
- Normal coronary arteriograms in patients with angina suggest alternative diagnoses, such as microvascular dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of thallium scans in patients presenting with angina but having normal coronary arteriograms.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of data from 100 patients with typical angina and normal coronary arteriograms.
- Analysis of exercise tests and gated thallium scans performed at peak exercise.
Main Results:
- Exercise tests were positive in 30% and negative in 70% of patients.
- Thallium defects were identified in 98% of patients, with no clear correlation to exercise test results or tolerance.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of thallium defects in patients with angina and normal coronary arteriograms indicates that microvascular angina is likely underdiagnosed.
- Further investigation into microvascular function is warranted in this patient population.