Effects of Maximal Exercise Stress on Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Using First Pass Radionuclide Angiocardiography

Angiographically determined changes in segmental wall motion (SWM) and ejection fraction (EF) are sensitive indices of left ventricular (LV) function. To compare the effects of exercise on LV function, first pass radionticlide angiocardiography was used before and during maximal upright bicycle stress in patients with nonsignificantly stenosed coronary arteries, and in those with > 75% stenosis. Gamma camera acquisitions were made in the 30° RAO projection using a 20 mCi I.V. bolus of 99mTc-pertechnetate. In the control group (seven normals, one nonsignificant CAD) the EF significantly increased between rest and exercise (0.65 ± 0.03 to 0.81 ± 0.03 (mean ± SEM), p < 0.005). In this group SWM measured over the two anterior and two inferoposterior segments uniformly increased. In the 11 patients with a history of angina and significant coronary artery obstruction, the EF did not change in three and significantly decreased in the remaining eight (0.57 ± 0.04 to 0.45 ± 0.03,p < 0.005). In all 11 patients SWM either decreased or did not increase in the areas supplied by the significantly stenosed coronary arteries. Upright maximal stress angiocardiography appears to be well-suited for diagnosing ischemic heart disease and localizing the area of ischemic dysfunction.