The diagnostic value of adenosine stress-contrast echocardiography for diagnosis of coronary artery disease in hypertensive patients: comparison to Tl-201 single-photon emission computed tomography.

Background: The use of the vasodilating agent adenosine as stressor in conjunction with myocardial contrast echocardiography has not been extensively evaluated in hypertensive patients. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of adenosine myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in comparison to single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), with reference to angiographic findings, in a hypertensive population.

Methods: Fifty hypertensive subjects, treated with standard antihypertensive treatment, were submitted to adenosine stress MCE, adenosine SPECT, and coronary angiography within a 1-month period, without any intervening events.

Prevalence of asymptomatic coronary artery disease in men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction: a prospective angiographic study.

Objectives: Erectile dysfunction (ED) shares common risk factors with coronary artery disease (CAD). It has been suggested that ED may be considered a clinical manifestation of a generalized vascular disease affecting also the penile arteries. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate angiographically the incidence of asymptomatic CAD in men with ED of vascular origin.