Comparison of cardiogoniometry and ECG at rest versus myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

Background: Cardiogoniometry (CGM) is a novel resting electrocardiac method based on computer-generated three-dimensional data derived from cardiac potentials. The purpose of this study was to determine CGM's and electrocardiography's (ECG) accuracy for detecting myocardial ischemia and/or lesions in comparison with stress/rest myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (single photon emission computer tomography [SPECT]).

Method: A cohort of consecutively enrolled patients (n = 100) with suspected or known coronary artery disease (mean age 67.8 years, 52% female) were examined by CGM and resting ECG before stress/rest myocardial scintigraphy.

Results: Pathological scintigraphy findings at adenosine stress perfusion (ASP) and/or rest were conclusively identified in 21 patients. Diagnostic sensitivity was 71% for CGM and 24% for ECG, specificity was 70% for CGM and 95% for ECG. Reversible ischemia was diagnosed in 16 of 21 patients with pathological scintigraphy results. In this subgroup, sensitivity was 67% for CGM and 25% for ECG.

Conclusions: At rest, the sensitivity of a CGM significantly surmounts that of a standard 12-lead ECG for detection of isolated myocardial ischemia or myocardial lesions revealed by scintigraphy/SPECT; specificity is in a reasonable range. CGM's ease of use and its considerable agreement with the results of myocardial scintigraphy, suggests a possible role for patient screening in the primary care setting.