Detection of myocardial ischemia.

Myocardial ischemia causes a series of anatomic and physiologic abnormalities that can be detected and quantified by assessment of myocardial perfusion, mechanical function, electrophysiology, and metabolism. These methods of assessment vary widely in sensitivity, specificity, relevance, cost, and ease of application. Although occasionally the appropriate choice of diagnostic procedures is clinically difficult, the demonstrated potential of coronary artery bypass surgery to reverse both acute and chronic myocardial ischemia makes the detection of ischemia an important effort in the care of patients with coronary artery disease.