Complementary role of thallium-201 scintigraphy to predischarge exercise electrocardiograph} for patients stratification after a first myocardial infarction

The value of a predischarge exercise test combined with thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy in detecting patients with severe multivessel disease (MVD) was studied in 58 consecutive patients discharged after a first acute myocardial infarction. Twelve electrocardiographic, clinical and scintigraphic variables were analysed. Angiography at one month revealed MVD (>70% narrowing in vessels unrelated to infarction) in 26 patients (45%). ST segment depression of I mm or greater, thallium defects in multiple vascular distributions (MVTL), and reversible thallium defects in a vascular distribution different from the infarct related vessel predicted patients at risk for MVD (predictive value respectively of 68%, 65% and 75%). The other variables were not significantly associated with the presence of MVD. Only ST segment depression and thallium defects in multiple vascular distributions emerged as independent predictors of MVD. Their combination yielded a 77% sensitivity and a 59% specificity for MVD. Combination of thallium imaging with the predischarge exercise ECG significantly improved the stratification provided by the exercise test alone (P