Comparison between the subendocardial viability ratio obtained by applanation tonometry and myocardial perfusion defects by scintigraphy

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Recent research correlates indices acquired by pulse wave analysis with cardiovascular risk factors, arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis. One of them, the subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), obtained from the ratio between the diastolic and systolic area of the pulse wave, has been considered as an estimative of coronary perfusion. However, there is no record of comparison between SEVR and other tools of myocardial perfusion as the scintigraphy. Methods: We evaluated 52 patients referred for myocardial perfusion imaging to assess the suspicion of coronary artery disease, followed by the applanation tonometry which was performed in these attendees by SphygmoCor® device. After collecting the data, it was performed a statistical analysis to evaluate whether there was a correlation between tonometrical indices and scintigraphic findings. Results: Myocardial perfusion imaging revealed defects in 23 individuals studied (44.2%), being more frequent in men and those with more than four associated risk factors. The SEVR was statistically similar between the patients with (162.4±22.7%) or without (164.7± 32.2%) a defect in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Other indices measured by tonometry have not also presented correlation between the groups with or without defects in scintigraphy. Conclusion: In patients with suspicion of coronary artery disease, it was observed more changes in perfusion on myocardial scintigraphy in men and in patients with multiple risk factors. SEVR as well as others arterial stiffness indices obtained by pulse wave analysis from applanation tonometry have not correlated with myocardial perfusion imaging defect.