Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease with201TI

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Abstract
The diagnostic sensitivity of visually interpreted and computer-analyzed 201Tl myocardial perfusion images was compared to that of exercise ECG in 8 angiographically normal subjects and 24 patients with significant coronary artery disease. Visual interpretation was not significantly better than exercise ECG. An index of perfusion homogeneity, derived from computer analysis of the 201Tl images, was more sensitive than visual interpretation (79% vs. 58%) and much more sensitive (P < 0.05) than the exercise ECG (79% vs. 46%). The best overall sensitivity (88%) and specificity (75%) were achieved by combining computer analysis with exercise ECG. The computer also permits enhanced detection of subtle perfusion changes which may not seem significant to the eye.