Value of dipyridamole with first pass radionuclide ventriculography in assessment of coronary artery disease

The use of dipyridamole with first pass radionuclide ventriculography for detecting coronary artery disease is described for the first time. Fifteen patients with normal coronary arteries demonstrated a mean increase in ejection fraction after dipyridamole, while 41 patients with severe coronary artery disease (> 70% stenosis) demonstrated a mean decrease in ejection fraction (6.3 ± 6%, -6.5 ± 6%, respectively; p < 0.05). Mean wall motion score was zero in the normal group and 1.27 ± 1.13 in the abnormal group. End-diastolic volume did not change significantly in either group. However, end-systolic volume decreased in the normal group (p = 0.019) and markedly increased in the abnormal group (p = 0.0001). The sensitivity of this technique was 73% and specificity 93%. However, the sensitivity increased to 89% in multivessel disease. Dipyridamole has an effect on the systolic performance in patients with marked coronary artery disease.