Normal Stress-Only Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Indicates Excellent Prognosis

Background: Stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) has been shown to be a robust imaging modality for the evaluation of patients with suspected ischemic heart disease. Objective: To investigate the prognosis of a normal stress-only MPS compared with a normal stress-rest MPS. In addition, the authors evaluated the role of abnormal versus normal left-ventricular function. Design: Retrospective record review. Methods: Imaging records from consecutive patients undergoing MPS for the evaluation of known or suspected coronary artery disease were evaluated. Only patients with a normal study were included. Stress MPS was performed first, followed by a rest study at the discretion of the interpreting physician. Study end points were nonfatal acute coronary syndrome or death from ischemic coronary artery disease. Results: A total of 4820 patient scans were evaluated, of which 3426 scans were normal (2215 patients had a normal stress-only study and 1211 patients had a normal stress-rest more...