Comparison of exercise and dipyridamole equilibrium blood pool scintigraphy (EBPS) in angina pectoris

Twelve patients with exertional angina underwent exercise treadmill testing, exercise equilibrium blood pool scintigraphy (Ex EBPS). Dipyridamole equilibrium blood pool scintigraphy (Dip EBPS) and coronary angiography by the Judkin's technique. Dipyridamole was infused through a venous cannula placed in the antecubital vein, in a dose of 0.56 mg/kg over four minutes. Four patients had single vessel disease, three double vessel disease, four triple vessel disease, and one had normal coronary arteries. Exercise equilibrium blood pool scintigraphy was found to have a sensitivity of 81%, and a positive predictive value for significant coronary artery disease of 100%. Dipyridamole EBPS had a sensitivity of 72% with a positive predictive value of 100%. The occurrence of regional wall motion abnormalities, following dipyridamole infusion, occurs up to fifteen minutes after exercise, and, therefore, serial acquisition for up to 20 minutes after the infusion is recommended. In patients with angina, who are unable to exercise because of orthopaedic disabilities or peripheral vascular disease, dipyridamole stress blood pool scintigraphy is a feasible alternative.