Angina and myocardial infarction - myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

People who may have coronary artery disease NICE recommends that myocardial perfusion scintigraphy using SPECT should be the first test used for people where stress ECG may not give accurate or clear results. This can be the case for women, for people who have certain unusual patterns in the electr ...

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People who may have coronary artery disease

NICE recommends that myocardial perfusion scintigraphy using SPECT should be the first test used for people where stress ECG may not give accurate or clear results. This can be the case for women, for people who have certain unusual patterns in the electrical activity of their heart (these patterns are detected by ECG), people with diabetes or people for whom exercise is difficult or impossible.

NICE also recommends that myocardial perfusion scintigraphy using SPECT should be used in the diagnosis of people who are less likely to have coronary artery disease and who are at lower risk of having heart problems (such as a heart attack)in the future. The likelihood of a person having coronary artery disease can be assessed by considering a number of factors, including their age, sex, ethnic background and family history as well as the results of their physical examination and blood tests or tests on the heart like ECG.

People who are known to have coronary artery disease

NICE recommends that myocardial perfusion scintigraphy using SPECT should be used as an investigation in people who still have symptoms following a heart attack or despite having had treatment to improve the flow of blood to the heart.

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