Myocardial perfusion imaging for the detection of coronary artery disease in patients with known or suspected disease

Detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) is essential for assessment of p rognosis and decisions regarding optimal management in patients with suspec ted or known disease. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is an appropriate diagnostic technique as it enables simultaneous evaluation of myocardial pe rfusion and function. The technique is recommended as a first-line investig ation in patients at intermediate or high risk of CAD. and as a second-line investigation in addition to conventional stress exercise resting in patie nts at low risk of CAD. The use of gated single photon emission computed to mography (gated-SPECT) perfusion imaging enhances detection of CAD and prov ides additional prognostic information. This procedure is likely to be the method of choice in the future. (Eur Heart J Supplements 2001: 3 (Suppl F): F2-F4 (C) 2001 The European Society of Cardiology.