CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE - FINDINGS WITH GRE MR-IMAGING AND TC-99M-METHOXYISOBUTYL-ISONITRILE SPECT DURING SIMULTANEOUS DOBUTAMINE STRESS

PURPOSE: This study compared gradient-recalled echo (GRE) magnetic res onance (MR) imaging with technetium-99m-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (MI B1) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) during the same dobutamine stress for the localization of coronary artery stenoses. M ATERIALS AND METHODS: In 35 consecutive patients (28 men and seven wom en, aged 41-79 years) with angiographically documented coronary artery disease, corresponding GRE MR images and SPECT tomograms were acquire d at rest and during dobutamine infusion and were evaluated for region al wall motion or perfusion abnormalities. RESULTS: Images in both exa minations could be analyzed in 32 of 35 (91%) patients. Wall motion or perfusion abnormalities were observed in 27 of 32 (84%) GRE MR imagin g and in 28 of 32 (87%) SPECT examinations. Sensitivity and specificit y of dobutamine GRE MR imaging and dobutamine SPECT for the localizati on of left anterior descending coronary artery stenoses were 74% and 1 00% versus 70% and 100% for the combined left circumflex and right cor onary artery perfusion territories. CONCLUSION: GRE MR imaging and SPE CT have a high concordance with respect to the detection of a dobutami ne-induced ischemic response.