CARDIAC STRESS TESTS-MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION IMAGING (MPI)

SUMMARY

1. MPI uses radioisotopes with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

2. Perfusion is compared visually between the resting and stressed states.

3. Preserved myocardial perfusion at rest but decreased during stress is suggestive of ischemia ("reversible defect").

4. Perfusion defects that are present during exercise and persist at rest suggest previous MI or scar ("fixed defect").

5. Again, target heart rate must be achieved with exercise or dobutamine for an adequate test.

Reference(s)

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Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].