Muhammad Khan, Ahmad Khan, Faiza Ahsanullah Khan, Mohsin Nazeer.
Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in diabetics with atypical symptoms of coronary artery disease.
J Cardiovascular Dis Jan ;9(1):13-7.

Objective: To determine the frequency of myocardial ischemia in diabetic patients presenting with atypical symptoms of coronary artery disease by myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Patients and Methods: This Cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Department of Cardiology and Nuclear Medicine, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore from January to July 2009. One Hundred and fifty diabetic patients presenting with atypical symptoms of coronary artery disease proceeding for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were enrolled in the study. After taking history and clinical examination, perfusion scintigraphy was done. Results: Out of 150 patients, 79(52.6%) patients had normal myocardial perfusion scintigraphy while 71(47.3%) patients had evidence of reversible myocardial ischemia. Left anterior descending artery territory was involved in 34 patients (6 mild, 20 moderate, 8 severe), Left circumflex artery territory was involved in 33 patients (9 mild, 11 moderate, 13 severe) and Right coronary artery territory in 24 patients (12 mild, 9 moderate, 3 severe). Conclusion:Diabetic patients with atypical symptoms of coronary artery disease have high incidence of ischemia and every diabetic patient with symptoms considered atypical like exertional shortness of breath and atypical chest pain should be screened for coronary artery disease. Key Words: Coronary artery disease; myocardial perfusion scintigraphy; diabetes mellitus; atypical symptoms.

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