Non-invasive detection of coronary artery stenosis: a comparison among power-Doppler contrast echo, 99Tc-Sestamibi SPECT and echo wall-motion analysis

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVETo compare the ability of power-Doppler MCE with stress-echo wall-motion and nuclear scan imaging (SPECT) to assess myocardial ischaemia during pharmacological stress, using coronary angiography as reference. METHODSIn 25 patients the three non-invasive imaging modalities were acquired during a single dipyridamole stress test (so as to avoid stress variations). Power-Doppler MCE was acquired using continuous intravenous infusion of Levovist. Echo wall-motion was acquired too. At peak stress Tc-Sestamibi was injected; stress SPECT images were acquired 30 min after injection. RESULTS CONCLUSIONPower-Doppler MCE is a sensitive and specific method for identification of myocardial perfusion during pharmacological stress. Accuracy of power-Doppler MCE for stenotic coronary arteries appears to be slightly higher than stress-echo wall-motion and similar to SPECT. Coron Artery Dis 14:239-245 © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.