The accuracy of 1-day dual-isotope myocardial SPECT in a population with high prevalence of coronary artery disease

Reginald G. E. J. Groutars, J. Fred Verzijlbergen, Monique M. C. Tiel-van Buul, Aeilko H. Zwinderman, Carl A. P. L. Ascoop, Norbert M. van Hemel, Ernst E. van der Wall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In order to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the 1-day separate acquisition dual-isotope single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) protocol, using 201Tl for the rest and 99mTc-tetrofosmin for the stress images, a consecutive series of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD) was studied that also underwent coronary angiography. METHODS: The results of myocardial SPECT, using a semi-quantitative visual analysis, were acquired in 123 patients and compared with the results of coronary angiography. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated, using thresholds of > or = 50 and > or = 70% stenosis. As an alternative for specificity, the normalcy rate was determined in a separate group of 87 patients with a <5% pre-test likelihood of CAD. RESULTS: The prevalence of CAD using > or =50 and > or = 70% stenosis was 88 and 78%, respectively. The sensitivity for detection of patients with > or = 50 and > or = 70% stenosis was 94 and 97%, respectively while specificity was 62 and 59%, respectively. The high rate of false positive perfusion defects resulting in a low specificity could be explained by specific clinical issues. However, the routine assessment with additional clinical and electrocardiographic data resulted in a correct interpretation of most of the false positive perfusion defects. The positive predictive value was 92 and 85% and the negative predictive value 46 and 77%, using thresholds of > or = 50 and > or = 70% stenosis, respectively. The normalcy rate was 91%. CONCLUSION: The one-day separate acquisition rest 201Tl/stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT protocol is an efficient procedure for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with high sensitivity for detection of CAD. Specific clinical issues caused a low value for specificity. Therefore, clinical information and knowledge of the electrocardiogram is essential for a correct interpretation of SPECT images
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)229-238
Journalinternational journal of cardiovascular imaging
Volume19
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Cite this