Myocardial perfusion stress test: is it worth?

To test the utility of the Tc^99m-sestaMIBI myocardial perfusion stress test (MPS) over stress echo test (SEHO) in dyslipidemic patients with intermediate pre-test probability score. 56 dyslipidemic patients (42 males and 14 females) with a suspected/known ischaemic heart disease and intermediate pre-test probability score underwent MPS and SEHO. They were followed for 25.77 ± 6.19 months. The data about the new-onset cardiac events and possible coronary angiography (CA) were collected. MPS was positive in 80% of the patients, SEHO in 68% of the patients. Results of the SEHO and MPS showed a good correlation (p < 0.001, μ = 0.505). Both procedures had a good correlation with CA findings in the follow-up. Cardiac events occurred in 57% of the patients. The MPS result, SSS, SDS were significantly associated with the new-onset cardiac events (p < 0.05). The patients with higher SDS had more chance to get a cardiac event in the follow-up (ROC curve area = 0.719, p = 0.003). MPS sensitivity was 91%, specificity 56%; SEHO sensitivity 85% and specificity 61%. MPS may be useful in predicting a future cardiovascular event. It is sufficiently informative, objectified by quantification software, and with correspondingly reduced radiation doses it may be the method of choice in patients with intermediate pre-test probability score.