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Effect of lung volume reduction surgery for severe emphysema on right ventricular function.

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) can improve the functional capacity of selected patients with severe emphysema. Hypothesized physiologic effects of LVRS include an improvement in right ventricular function, although this has not been investigated in detail. To help clarify this issue, we used fast-thermistor thermodilution at rest and during submaximal upright exercise in 12 patients, before and 6 mo after bilateral LVRS. Preoperatively, all patients had severe airflow obstruction, with a mean FEV(1) of 0.69 L and an RV-to-TLC ratio of 0.67. Six months after LVRS, significant improvements occurred in respiratory function measures (+0.39 L in FEV(1), p < 0.002; and +/- 0.15 in RV/TLC ratio, p < 0.002) and in right ventricular function indexes measured at rest (+0.21 L in cardiac index [CI], p < 0.01; and +3.0 ml in stroke volume, p < 0.01) and during exercise (+0.9 L in CI, p < 0.002; +10.0 ml in stroke volume index, p < 0.002; and +20% in ejection fraction [EF], p < 0.002). A significant correlation was found between pre- to postoperative changes in the EF response to exercise and changes in the RV/TLC ratio (R = -0.68; p = 0.01). We conclude that a significant improvement in right ventricular performance, particularly during exercise, can occur 6 mo after bilateral LVRS.

Exercise↗

[Evaluation of left ventricular function in patients with atrial septal defect by exercise echocardiography].

In order to evaluate left ventricular function in atrial septal defect (ASD), 12 cases with ASD, 18 postoperative cases of ASD and 27 normal controls were examined by means of exercise echocardiography using supine bicycle ergometer (50 watts and 3 min). M-mode echocardiograms and left ventricular (LV) short-axis views by two-dimensional echocardiography were subjected to the observation. M-mode echocardiographic studies: ASD group showed an increased stroke dimension (SD) during exercise mainly due to a marked increase of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension ( LVDd ) and a slight decrease of left ventricular end-systolic dimension ( LVDs ). Postoperative ASD group showed an increased SD during exercise mainly due to a marked decrease of LVDs and a slight decrease of LVDd . On the other hand, in normal control group exercise increased SD only by a significant decrease of LVDs . Right ventricular dimension was decreased during exercise in ASD group, but did not change significantly in postoperative ASD and normal control groups. During exercise in ASD group, peak velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCF) was increased most markedly, and negative peak VCF was decreased most strikingly. Eight of 12 patients with ASD who showed abnormal interventricular septal motion demonstrated remarkable improvement of the motion during exercise. Two-dimensional echocardiographic studies: Left ventricular short-axis views demonstrated that the shape of the left ventricular cavity changed from flattened to more circular configuration during exercise at end- and early-diastole in ASD group. The shape of the left ventricular cavity at late-systole did not change significantly during exercise in this group. In postoperative ASD group, the left ventricular short-axis view demonstrated circular configuration of the left ventricle at end-diastole both in rest and during exercise. The shape of the left ventricular cavity did not change by exercise. It was concluded that in ASD group cardiac output is increased during exercise by decreasing a left to right shunt at the atrial level and increasing left ventricular filling rate. Therefore, the left ventricular function was found to be good in ASD.

Adolescent↗

Improved regional left ventricular function after successful satellite cell grafting in rabbits with myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether satellite cells injected into infarct areas in rabbits remain viable during 6 weeks follow-up and can improve cardiac function as assessed by echocardiography. METHODS: Myocardial infarction was induced in 16 New Zealand white rabbits, by ligation of the marginalis sinistra artery. Tissue from gluteus muscle biopsies was dissected into small pieces and cultured. Within 2-3 weeks the cells were expanded by 2-3 orders of magnitude and were fluorescent labeled. Single cell pellets for resuspension at >10(6)/1 ml were directly injected into the infarct areas in 8 rabbits. In 8 additional rabbits, 1 ml saline was injected (control). Regional left ventricular function was assessed weekly by 2-D echocardiography until animals were sacrificed. Analysis was performed blind and independently by two experienced echocardiographers, based on the American Society of Echocardiography scheme. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Six treated and five control rabbits completed the study. One week after the artery occlusion, left ventricular function scoring did not differ between groups, mean 8.7+/-1.6 vs 8.3+/-1.9 (P=0.74). At 6 weeks post-injection, echocardiographic score was significantly better in the treated group, mean 2.6+/-0.9 vs 6.9+/-2.1 (P=0.002). The treated group showed significant gradual segmental improvement between the first week up to week 6. After sacrifice, macro and microscopic transmural areas showed typical changes of myocardial infarction. Histochemical staining identified viable grafted cells in high density 6 weeks post-transplantation in all grafted hearts. CONCLUSION: Autologous satellite cells (skeletal myofiber), can be successfully grafted into rabbit hearts following myocardial infarction and may induce improved regional left ventricular function.

Animals↗

Inhibition of collagen synthesis with prolyl 4-hydroxylase inhibitor improves left ventricular function and alters the pattern of left ventricular dilatation after myocardial infarction.

Background- Left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with fibrosis, dilatation, and dysfunction. We postulated that prevention of fibrosis after MI with a prolyl 4-hydroxylase inhibitor (P4HI) would preserve LV function and attenuate LV enlargement. Methods and Results- Adult female rats (200 to 250 g) had experimental MI and were then randomized to treatment with P4HI (MI-FG041, n=29) or vehicle (MI-control, n=29) 48 hours after MI for 4 weeks in 2 phases. Echocardiograms were performed weekly with a 15-MHz linear transducer, and at 4 weeks, collagen isoform determinations and in vivo hemodynamics were performed. At randomization, the infarct size and LV function and size were similar in MI-FG041 and MI-control but significantly different from shams (n=9). At week 4, the LV function in MI-FG041 was significantly better than in MI-controls (fractional shortening 21% versus 16%, P=0.01; fractional area change 30% versus 19%, P=0.002; ejection fraction 35% versus 23%, P=0.001). In the FG041 group, LV area in systole was less (P<0.05), the dP/dt(max) after isoproterenol was higher (P<0.05), and types I and III collagen in noninfarcted LV were less than in MI-control. The hydroxyproline/proline ratio was increased by 64% in MI-control and reduced to the sham value in MI-FG041 rats. In the scar tissue, it was reduced by 24% in MI-FG041. Conclusions- This study demonstrates that prevention of interstitial fibrosis with a P4H inhibitor alters the pattern of LV enlargement and produces partial recovery of LV function after MI.

Animals↗

Free radical activity and left ventricular function after thrombolysis for acute infarction.

BACKGROUND: Experimental data suggest that reperfusion injury involving free radicals contributes to the impairment of left ventricular function after successful thrombolysis. METHODS: In 72 patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction, markers of free radical activity were measured before streptokinase and two hours later. Thiobarbituric acid reactive material (TBA-RM) reflects lipid peroxidation by free radicals, and the concentration of plasma total thiols (34 patients) reflects oxidative stress. Coronary arteriography was performed at 18-72 hours after thrombolysis to determine coronary patency, and left ventricular function was assessed by ventriculography and from QRS scoring of the electrocardiogram. RESULTS: The infarct related artery was patent (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Trial grade 2 or better) in 60 (83%) and occluded in 12. In the 60 with a patent artery, the concentration of TBA-RM increased after streptokinase by (mean (SD)) 9.2 (14.0) nmol/g albumin, whereas in the 12 with an occluded artery TBA-RM decreased by 7.0 (11.3) nmol/g albumin (p < 0.01 between groups). In those with a patent artery the rise in TBA-RM associated with thrombolysis correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (R = -0.41, p < 0.002), and with the QRS score (R = +0.38, p = 0.003). Plasma total thiol concentrations decreased by 12.7 (31.1) mumol/l in those with a patent artery, and this decrease associated with thrombolysis correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (R = +0.39, p < 0.02) but not with the QRS score (R = -0.2, NS). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that reperfusion injury mediated by free radicals may be of clinical importance in humans.

Adult↗

Visual versus computerised assessment of left ventricular function from cinéangiography.

Visual assessment of left ventricular function from cinéangiography was compared with computerised assessment in 48 randomly selected cinéangiograms. The parameters compared included end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction and left ventricular output. There was poor agreement between visual and calculated values for end-diastolic volume, stroke volume and left ventricular output, but good agreement for ejection fraction and moderately good agreement for end-systolic volumes. Absolute values are particularly difficult to assess.

Cardiac Output↗

Right ventricular function in the donor heart.

OBJECTIVES: Early morbidity and mortality post cardiac transplantation is frequently caused by right ventricular failure; this is usually attributed to an elevated pulmonary vascular resistance in the recipient. Brain death in the donor is recognised as causing left ventricular dysfunction, but its effects on the right ventricle have not previously been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate right ventricular function following brain death, using a canine model. METHODS: The hearts of 33 dogs were instrumented with micromanometers, flow probes and dimension transducers to measure minor/major axes, and right and left ventricular free wall to septal distances. Left ventricular volume was calculated according to the prolate ellipsoid model and right ventricular volume was calculated according to the shell subtraction method. Systolic function for left and right ventricles was analysed by plotting ventricular stroke work vs. end-diastolic volume during a caval occlusion (preload-independent recruitable stroke work PRSW). Brain death was instigated by inflation of a subdurally placed intracranial balloon; subsequently blood pressure was maintained with intravenous fluid whilst no inotropic medications were given. Data were collected at baseline, and at 2 and 4 h thereafter. A two-tailed paired Student's t-test was applied to compare post-brain death data with baseline measurements. RESULTS: All animals had an initial hyperdynamic response post brain death ensued by the development of diabetes insipidus. Brain stem death was validated by neuropathological examination at the termination of the experiments. Right and left ventricular systolic function had deteriorated significantly 2 h post brain death by 34.4% (+/- 5.1%, P < 0.001) and 20.4% (+/- 3.4%, P < 0.001), respectively, from baseline PRSW [RV = 23.6 erg.10(3) (+/- 1.5), LV = 76.2 erg.10(3) (+/- 3.5)]. This deterioration remained at 4 h post brain death (29.4% (+/- 4.9%, P < 0.001) and 21.2% (+/- 4.3%, P < 0.001), respectively). (The results are expressed as mean and S.E.M.). CONCLUSIONS: Brain death causes a significant decrease in left and right ventricular function. The injury to the right ventricle is more prominent than the left ventricle, and at 2 h post brain death it is significantly greater. Failure of the right ventricle post transplantation in clinical practice may be related to this brain death induced injury. Further studies are required to investigate the mechanisms of this injury.

Animals↗

Effect of vasopressin on postresuscitation ventricular function: unknown consequences of the recent Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect on postresuscitation left ventricular function of vasopressin vs. epinephrine used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a swine model of prolonged prehospital ventricular fibrillation. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized experimental study. SETTING: University large animal resuscitation research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Forty-eight swine (29 +/- 1 kg). INTERVENTIONS: Resuscitation after 12.5 mins of untreated ventricular fibrillation, randomizing animals during cardiopulmonary resuscitation to treatment with epinephrine, vasopressin, or vasopressin followed by a vasopressin antagonist administered in the postresuscitation period. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Serial measurements of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function (prearrest, postresuscitation at 30 mins and 6 hrs) and 24-hr survival. Animals receiving vasopressin had more postresuscitation left ventricular dysfunction than those receiving epinephrine (p < .05). The vasopressin antagonist produced vasodilation and improved early postresuscitation left ventricular systolic and diastolic function but did not have a lasting effect on such postresuscitation ventricular function and decreased 24-hr survival compared with the use of vasopressin alone (3/16 vs. 10/16 survivors; p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Vasopressin use during cardiopulmonary resuscitation results in worse postresuscitation left ventricular function early but did not compromise 24-hr outcome. Reversal of vasopressin's effect with a specific V-1 antagonist in the postresuscitation period did not improve survival.

Animals↗

Left ventricular function and prognosis in patients suspected of acute myocardial infarction but without confirmed diagnosis. The risk of cardiac events related to echocardiography, systolic time intervals, and chest x-ray.

The prognosis following discharge, with cardiac events as endpoint, was related to left ventricular function in 217 patients admitted with a suspicion of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but in whom the diagnosis was not confirmed (non-AMI patients). The investigations used were echocardiography, systolic time intervals, and chest X-ray. During follow-up (median 14 months, range 12-24 months), 18 cardiac events occurred, i.e. non-fatal AMI or cardiac death. The prognosis for non-AMI patients was only slightly better than for patients with confirmed AMI (p = 0.05). The prognosis for non-AMI patients was significantly related to a decreased left ventricular function. Measurements of relative heart volume or mitral septal separation on echocardiography gave significant information about prognosis. The percentage without cardiac events after one year was 88.0 in patients with cardiomegaly versus 96.8 in those with normal heart size (p = 0.029). We conclude that non-AMI patients with decreased left ventricular function are at increased risk of cardiac events following discharge.

Adult↗

Effect of intracoronary thrombolytic therapy on global and regional left ventricular function. A three year experience with randomization.

The effect of myocardial reperfusion on regional left ventricular function has been quantitated by analysis of segmental wall motion in 185 patients enrolled in a randomized trial comparing thrombolysis with conventional treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction. When analyzing the hemodynamic data on an "intention to treat" basis we found a significant preservation of left ventricular function after thrombolytic therapy when compared to conventional treatment. In addition, the wall motion analysis showed that a significant improvement of regional function in the "infarct zone" was observed in inferior infarction as well as in anterior infarction, although significant changes in regional function of the remote "non infarct zone" were observed at the acute as well as at the chronic stage. However, our follow-up data indicate that as yet it has not been resolved whether this method of treatment does indeed improve prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Accordingly, we maintain the view that such invasive treatment should not be generally applied until more follow-up data become available from larger randomized trials.

Aged↗

[Study of dynamics and left ventricular function using radioisotopic technics in the heart cavities].

The imaging of the cardiac cavities with appropriate tracer materials (99 m Technetium or 113 m Indium), the recording of intracardiac dilution curves by radionuclide angiography and dynamic studies by gamma cinecardiography give global and regional parameters of left ventricular function which are reliable and reproducible: an index of cardiac output, intracardiac circulation times and ventricular volumes. The assessment of left ventricular contraction and global and regional ejection fractions is facilitated by coupling the gamma camera and the electrocardiogramme and computer analysis of the results. "First passage" recordings may be used to differentiate the right from the left heart chambers. "Equilibrium" studies give detailed information at rest, under stress (or leg-raising) and under pacing and/or trinitrin. Average and maximal rates of contraction derived from the ejection fraction and left ventricular contraction times are indices comparable to the rate of fibre shortening. The calculation or regional parameters point by point such as the ejection fraction, contraction time and ejection volume gives a more accurate and sensitive estimation of left ventricular function than the global left ventricular indices. They are many practical applications in cardiology especially in coronary artery disease: monitoring the changes in the acute phase of myocardial infarction, the selection of patients for aorto-coronary bypass surgery and their pre- and post-operative controls. These non-invasive, easy and reliable cardiac studies justify the development of laboratories of nuclear cardiology within departments of cardiac physiological investigation.

Animals↗

Differential effects of reperfusion on incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and recovery of ventricular function at 4 days following coronary occlusion.

To determine the influence of coronary reperfusion on ventricular arrhythmias and ventricular function at 4 days post occlusion, anesthetized dogs randomly received no occlusion (sham), permanent occlusion, or 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, or 6-hour occlusions of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by reperfusion. An ambulatory ECG was recorded between 78 and 96 hours. The total runs of ventricular tachycardia were 1 +/- 0 (sham), 155 +/- 101 (1 hour), 66 +/- 32 (2 hours), 56 +/- 35 (3 hours), 167 +/- 68 (4 hours), 942 +/- 618 (6 hours), and 1422 +/- 486 (permanent occlusion); the runs of ventricular tachycardia were significantly less in the combined 1- to 4-hour groups (93 +/- 24) compared to the 6-hour and permanent occlusion groups (1282 +/- 384; p less than 0.006). Similar results were obtained for the number of hours in which ventricular tachycardia or frequent ventricular premature beats occurred. At 96 hours, improvement in percent systolic wall thickening of the ischemic myocardium assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography was seen in the group reperfused at 1 hour (p less than 0.01). Similar results were obtained for the reduction in degrees of wall circumference showing systolic thinning. In summary, at 4 days post occlusion in a dog model, spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias are reduced by reperfusion within 4 hours, while return of ventricular function is only improved by reperfusion within approximately 1 hour of coronary occlusion.

Animals↗

Pericardial effusion and left ventricular function in patients with acute alcoholic pancreatitis.

Pericardial effusion as a complication of acute pancreatitis has been described in several isolated case reports. However, the prevalence of pericardial effusion in patients with acute pancreatitis has not been studied. Alcoholism and severe acute pancreatitis have been shown to cause left ventricular dysfunction. We studied 15 consecutive patients, hospitalized for the treatment of acute, alcohol-induced pancreatitis, and 28 control subjects by M-mode echocardiography to detect pericardial effusion and to assess left ventricular function. Seven patients (47%) with pancreatitis and three control subjects (11%) had pericardial effusion; the prevalence of pericardial effusion in patients with pancreatitis was significantly greater (Fisher's exact test) than in control subjects. There was no evidence of impairment of left ventricular function in the patients, all of whom had mild acute pancreatitis; the mean fractional systolic shortening of the left ventricle in patients was not significantly different from that of control subjects (38% +/- 8.5% vs 37% +/- 8.0%), and the mean velocity of left ventricular circumferential shortening in patients was significantly higher than in control subjects (1.58 +/- 0.34 circumferences per second vs 1.29 +/- 0.32 circumferences per second). We conclude that in patients with mild acute alcohol-induced pancreatitis, pericardial effusion occurs frequently and that left ventricular function is unimpaired.

Acute Disease↗

Effects of a new vasodilator, nicorandil, on exercise-induced impairment of left ventricular function in patients with old myocardial infarction.

Hemodynamic effects of nicorandil on exercise-induced impairment of left ventricular function were studied in nine patients with old myocardial infarction but without angina pectoris. Hemodynamic data were obtained by symptom-limited supine multistage bicycle ergometer exercise testing before and 1 h after single oral administration of 15 mg of nicorandil. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest decreased significantly after nicorandil administration (p less than 0.01). A most remarkable change in the hemodynamic response to supine dynamic exercise after nicorandil was a decrease in pulmonary artery wedge pressure (both at rest and at peak exercise, p less than 0.001). An index cardiac function, obtained from the relation between pulmonary artery wedge pressure and left ventricular stroke work index, improved significantly after nicorandil. The ration of pressure-rate product to coronary sinus flow, which is an index of the ratio of myocardial oxygen consumption to myocardial oxygen supply, decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) after nicorandil administration. Reproducibility of the testings was also studied in six patients with old myocardial infarction. Invasive hemodynamic variables between two successive symptom-limited supine leg exercise testings, except pulmonary artery wedge pressure, were reproducible in patients with old myocardial infarction but without angina pectoris. Only pulmonary artery wedge pressure at rest in the second exercise testing showed a significantly lower value (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that nicorandil is a useful drug for improvement of exercise-induced impairment of left ventricular function with an increase in myocardial oxygen supply.

Adult↗

[Effects of Astragalus membranaceus on left ventricular function and oxygen free radical in acute myocardial infarction patients and mechanism of its cardiotonic action].

Dynamic observations for 4 weeks were made on left ventricular function and oxygen free radical (OFR) in 43 patients first suffering from acute myocardial infarction and hospitalized in Coronary Care Unit with an attack less than 36 hours. The results showed that the Astragalus membranaceus (AM) could strengthen the left ventricular function and had an effect of anti-OFR. After administration of AM, the ratio of pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection time (PEP/LVET) was decreased, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of red blood cell was increased, and the lipid peroxidation (LPO) content of plasma was reduced. There was a significant difference between the AM group and the control group in the parameters above-mentioned. The study demonstrated that the PEP/LVET ratio was closely correlated with the SOD and LPO. It suggested that the anti-OFR effect of AM was one of the mechanisms of its cardiotonic action.

Adult↗

Effect of myocardial ischaemia on left ventricular function and adaptability to exercise training.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the possible interaction between exercise-induced myocardial ischemia and abnormalities in left ventricular function in 72 patients with coronary artery disease at entry and upon discharge from a 6-month exercise training program. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with myocardial ischemia (MIS) defined by electrocardiographic and radionuclide imaging criteria constituted our experimental group (EG). Fifty patients without MIS were assigned to the control group for exercise training (CG-ET) and 31 healthy subjects to the control group for measures of left ventricular function (CG-LV). RESULTS: Both groups EG and CG-ET showed significant and comparable increases in peak oxygen uptake (EG: 25.2 +/- 5.1 to 26.9 +/- 5.4 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.02; CG-ET: 25.1 +/- 0.6 to 27.4 +/- 0.7 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.001) after exercise training, but only CG-ET showed significant reductions in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and rate-pressure product during submaximal exercise. A significant increase in end-diastolic volume contributed to the increase in cardiac output during exercise in patients with MIS. Heart rate or treadmill time at onset of ST segment depression failed to increase as a result of training, and stroke counts and the product of stroke counts and heart rate showed a trend toward a decrease in response to exercise, suggesting progression of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with myocardial ischemia showed improvements in maximal exercise capacity but failed to elicit physiologic adaptations during submaximal exercise or to increase the threshold for ischemia after exercise training. It is possible that the main emphasis in the management of this type of patient in a cardiac rehabilitation setting should be placed more on coronary risk factor modification to slow progression of disease than on improving cardiovascular efficiency.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) decrease in diastolic left ventricular function assessed by echocardiography.

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) are known to be associated with cardiomyopathy. Systolic and diastolic left ventricular functions were assessed by M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in four patients with MELAS and in 14 normal controls. The interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were greater (11.0 +/- 1.6 mm vs. 5.8 +/- 0.7 mm and 11.0 +/- 2.2 mm vs. 5.9 +/- 0.8 mm) in patients with MELAS than in a control group. Parameters of systolic left ventricular functions (ejection fraction, shortening fraction, systolic time intervals, and mean Vcf) and left ventricular dimensions were not significantly different between the two groups. To assess the diastolic function, blood flow velocity across the mitral valve was measured by Doppler echocardiography and various indexes were obtained. In patients with MELAS, the impairment of diastolic left ventricular filling was demonstrated by decrease in the following indexes: peak flow velocity in the early passive filling period (E) (0.76 +/- 0.10 m/s vs. 0.94 +/- 0.09 m/s), integrated velocity for total E (10.2 +/- 1.3 vs. 13.0 +/- 0.9), the ratio of E and late atrial filling integrated velocities (1.72 +/- 0.06 vs. 2.49 +/- 0.29).

Adolescent↗

The added value of simultaneous myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function.

The focus of this review is the advantages of simultaneously assessing myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function. Nuclear cardiology imaging techniques as well as the development of technetium-labeled perfusion tracers now permit combined myocardial-perfusion and left-ventricular function studies at a single testing interval. Radionuclide angiography as well as electrocardiographic-gated images of the perfused myocardium are the two well-established techniques for that purpose with a single injection of a technetium-labeled perfusion tracer. Recent data have demonstrated the impact and clinical role of these studies, when combined, in the diagnosis as well as prognosis and risk stratification of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease. The addition of functional information to perfusion data has shown to improve the detection of multivessel disease. Most recent data have also demonstrated the ability of these combined measurements to improve the prediction of hard events. It appears that the role of each of these tests may differ, depending on the patient population, particularly in relation to gender and type of stress test performed. Finally, a third area of potential application of these combined techniques would be in the assessment of myocardial viability using pharmacologic stress tests in combination with wall-motion analysis by gated images of the perfused myocardium.

Coronary Angiography↗