Open AccessThallium stress myocardial imaging: An evaluation of fifty‐eight asymptomatic males
Author(s) -
Nolewajka A. J.,
Kostuk W. J.,
Howard J.,
Rechnitzer P. A.,
Cunningham D. A.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960040305
Subject(s) - medicine , asymptomatic , thallium , myocardial perfusion imaging , cardiology , stress testing (software) , framingham risk score , population , coronary artery disease , coronary arteries , myocardial imaging , ischemia , disease , artery , inorganic chemistry , environmental health , computer science , programming language , chemistry
The possible value of myocardial imaging with 201 thallium as a screening procedure for the detection of latent disease has not been previously shown. Fifty‐eight asymptomatic men underwent exercise 201 thallium imaging together with a risk score profile based on the Framingham criteria for predicting future coronary events. Six subjects (10%) developed perfusion defects compatible with myocardial ischemia. The risk score for the population with an abnormal test was 7.7±2.9%, compared to 2.0±2.2% (p<0.001) for those men with normal tests. Three of the subjects with abnormal scans underwent selective coronary arteriograms; all three had normal coronary arteries. During a 30‐month follow‐up, all individuals remained physically active and free of cardiac symptoms.