Role of single photon wall motion and perfusion studies in the evaluation of patients with suspected coronary artery disease

The present discussion approaches the problem of characterizing coronary artery disease from a pathophysiological perspective, to complement the physiological measurements made with nuclear medicine techniques. The imaging techniques available with myocardial perfusion imaging and radionuclide measurements of ventricular function are well suited to detecting the pathophysiological changes induced by coronary artery disease. The appearance of radiopharmaceuticals and imaging devices suggests that the field of nuclear cardiology will continue to grow. (orig./MG)