Comparison of ´electrophysiologic imaging´ and radionuclide imaging in quantification of controlled cardiac ischemia

The objective of this study was to determine the utility of body-surface potential mapping (BSPM) in detecting, localizing and quantifying the extent/severity of acute myocardial ischemia during coronary occlusion. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was used as a model of ´controlled´ acute myocardial ischemia. We compared the ability of ´electrophysiologic imaging´ (BSPM enhanced by inverse calculation of epicardial potentials) and radionuclide imaging to detect and quantify regional myocardial ischemia. All results were calculated from a polar display of the epicardium. The study group included 18 patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease. ´Electrophysiologic imaging´ poses no risk for the patient and in this study correlates with radionuclide imaging as a method of detecting and localizing acute myocardial ischemia during PTCA.