SEGMENTAL WALL-MOTION ANALYSIS IN THE RIGHT ANTERIOR OBLIQUE PROJECTION - COMPARISON OF EXERCISE EQUILIBRIUM RADIONUCLIDE VENTRICULOGRAPHY AND EXERCISE CONTRAST VENTRICULOGRAPHY

Abstract

Patients (39) with known or suspected coronary artery disease were studied at rest and during supine bicycle exercise with radionuclide and contrast left ventriculography. Analysis of regional wall motion was made by visual evaluation of the 5 standard 30.degree. right anterior oblique (RAO) wall segments in the contrast images and the corresponding 10.degree. RAO radionuclide segments. The radionuclide studies were evaluated independently by 3 observers using a 5-point grading system. The interobserver wall-motion grading agreed completely in > 80% of segments at rest and exercise, and agreed within 1 wall-motion grade in > 95% of segments. The comparison of wall-motion grades between radionuclide and contrast ventriculograms showed complete agreement in 86% of segments at rest and in 78% during exercise, and agreement within 1 wall-motion grade in 97% of rest and 96% of exercise segments. Visual evaluation of 10.degree. RAO rest and exercise radionuclide ventriculograms compares favorably with rest and exercise 30.degree. RAO contrast ventriculograms and demonstrates satisfactory interobserver agreement.