Exercise-induced ST-segment elevation. Correlation of thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scanning and coronary arteriography.

Exercise-induced ST-segment elevation was correlated with myocardial perfusion abnormalities and coronary artery obstruction in 35 patients. Ten patients (group 1) developed exercise ST elevation in leads without Q waves on the resting ECG. The site of ST elevation corresponded to both a reversible perfusion defect and a severely obstructed coronary artery. Associated ST-segment depression in other leads occurred in seven patients, but only one had a second perfusion defect at the site of ST depression. In three of the 10 patients, abnormal left ventricular wall motion at the site of exercise-induced ST elevation was demonstrated by ventriculography. Twenty-five patients (group 2) developed exercise ST elevation in leads with Q waves on the resting ECG. The site of ST elevation corresponded to severe coronary artery stenosis and a thallium perfusion defect that persisted on the 4-hour scan (constant in 12 patients, decreased in 13). Associated ST depression in other leads occurred in 11 patients and eight (73%) had a second perfusion defect at the site of ST depression. In all 25 patients with previous transmural infarction, abnormal left ventricular wall motion at the site of the Q waves was shown by ventriculography.In patients without previous myocardial infarction, the site of exercise-induced ST-segment elevation indicates the site of severe transient myocardial ischemia, and associated ST depression is usually reciprocal. In patients with Q waves on the resting ECG, exercise ST elevation way be due to peri-infarctional ischemia, abnormal ventricular wall motion or both. Exercise ST-segment depression may be due to a second area of myocardial ischemia rather than being reciprocal to ST elevation.