Nuclear Case Dialup LAD

Anterior Wall Ischemia:

[blockage in the Left Anterior Descending Artery]

Case History:

This 72 year old woman described a heaviness to the mid-chest which was relieved by nitroglycerine tablets. Lately, the discomfort was occurring more frequently, and sometimes while at rest. She smokes cigarettes and gives a history of coronary artery disease in her two brothers.

Initial, Pre-Angioplasty Image: (scroll down for post-angioplasty result)

LAD_18K.jpg (18924 bytes)

Dual isotope perfusion imaging shows a large reversible perfusion defect in the anterior wall, the apex (or tip of the heart) and the distal inferior wall (red arrows). This defect is present on the stress images (see the white bars at left) and largely resolves at rest (rows of images with red bars at left). This large defect in the anterior wall of the heart suggests a significant stenosis, or blockage, of the Left Anterior Descending coronary artery.

Cardiac Catheterization confirmed this, and angioplasty with primary stent placement was performed.
See below for post-angioplasty result...

Post-Angioplasty result:

LAD_Post_18K.jpg (19176 bytes)

Following angioplasty, the extensive anterior perfusion defect seen on the original stress images has resolved. The patient's symptoms similarly improved.

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