The independent value of exercise thallium scintigraphy to physicians

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Circulation; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.66.5.953· OSTI ID:6455923

Hlatky, M; Botvinick, E; Brundage, B

To determine the effect of exercise myocardial scintigraphy with /sup 201/Tl on diagnostic accuracy and the need for coronary angiography, consecutive patients with a variety of clinical presentations were identified. Clinical summaries, including a detailed history, physical examination, and complete data from a standard treadmill exercise test, were presented to 91 cardiologists. The cardiologists assessed the probability of coronary disease and the need for coronary angiography. They were then presented the results of thallium scintigraphy and revised their assessments if warranted. Scintigraphy significantly increased the cardiologists' diagnostic accuracy beyond that attained with other clinical information (p less than 0.0001). The change in accuracy varied from + 4% to + 20% in different patient groups, and was greatest in patients with atypical angina and a positive exercise ECG. Ratings of the need for coronary angiography changed from -13% to +21% in different patient groups. We conclude that exercise thallium scintigraphy can provide independent diagnostic information and influence the need for coronary angiography.

• Research Organization: Robert Wood Johnson clinical Scholars Program, University of California, San Francisco
• OSTI ID: 6455923
• Journal Information: Circulation; (United States), Journal Name: Circulation; (United States) Vol. 66:5; ISSN CIRCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ARTERIES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BLOOD VESSELS
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CORONARIES
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSTIC USES
DISEASES
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
EXERCISE
HEART
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MUSCLES
MYOCARDIUM
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
SCINTISCANNING
SECONDS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
THALLIUM 201
THALLIUM ISOTOPES
USES