Radionuclide ventriculography with exercise testing identified 88% of patients who died suddenly within two years after first myocardial infarction, superior to conventional exercise testing endpoints.
Cohort (n=100)
To assess the prognostic value of radionuclide ventriculography we followed 100 consecu- tive patients for two years after their first myocardial infarction. Ventricular performance as assessed by left ventricular ejection fraction was measured at rest one day before hospital discharge and again one, four, and 12 months later at rest and during submaximal exercise. Left ventricular ejection fraction at discharge was below normal (5%) in left ventricular ejection fraction and 23 of these developed postinfarction angina, four suffered non-fatal reinfarction and five patients died. Radionuclide ventriculography with exercise testing thus identified 88% of patients who died suddenly in the first two years after infarction. This was superior to any of the coronary prognostic indices currently in use and more predictive than the conventional end points of exercise testing (chest pain or ST segment depression) used either separately or in combination.
Dewhurst et al. (Tue,) conducted a cohort in First myocardial infarction (n=100). Radionuclide ventriculography at rest and during exercise vs. Conventional end points of exercise testing was evaluated on Identification of sudden death within two years. Radionuclide ventriculography with exercise testing identified 88% of patients who died suddenly within two years after first myocardial infarction, superior to conventional exercise testing endpoints.