Normal MPI Carries Favorable Prognosis in Patients With Known CAD

Background: Previous research has shown that, in all patients, a normal SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) study is associated with a favorable outcome over a long period of time. Objective: To quantify the long-term prognostic value of MPI in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Participants: 266 patients with known CAD who underwent gated SPECT MPI for the evaluation of suspected myocardial ischemia. Methods: CAD was defined as a healed myocardial infarction and/or a previous coronary artery revascularization. Patients underwent exercise bicycle or dobutamine-atropine stress SPECT MPI. All patients included in the analysis had normal perfusion during stress and at rest. Study end points included all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, and nonfatal myocardial infarction. Results: Follow-up was completed in 261 (98%) patients. The median follow-up was 12 years. During follow-up, 94 (36%) patients died: 26 (10%) died due to cardi more...