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Prognostic implications of post-stress ejection fraction decrease detected by gated SPECT in the absence of
Manjola Dona1, Lucia Massi, Leonardo Settimo
1Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Purpose:
The prognostic meaning of a post-stress ejection fraction (EF) decrease detected by perfusion gated SPECT is still unclear.We therefore followed up patients with post-stress EF decrease in the absence of stress-induced perfusion abnormalities.
Methods:
We prospectively enrolled 57 consecutive patients with post-stress EF drop ≥ 5 EF units and summed difference score (SDS) ≤ 1. They were followed up for more than 1 year and their outcome was compared with a group of sex- and age-matched controls with the same SDS but without EF decrease.
Results:
During follow-up there were 13 events (1 cardiac death, 1 non-fatal myocardial infarction, 1 congestive heart failure and 10 late revascularizations). In the control group we registered six events. There was a significant difference (p<0.0001) between the event-free survival curves of the two groups.
Conclusion:
The event rate of patients with post-stress EF decrease ≥ 5 EF units is relatively high and is significantly worse than that of a control group of patients with similarly normal SDS but without EF changes. Therefore, a post-stress EF decrease without stress-induced perfusion abnormalities should be cautiously interpreted.
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01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:26Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes