What are chances adenosine stress test is false positive?

[RITZGAL]

I had an adenosine nuclear stress test  this week that showed a reduced blood flow on images in the LAD.  I had a cath done Oct 2005 that was clear.  Can a blockage form in 3 1/2 yrs?  I am 62 yr old female.  Have pulmonary hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy with heart failure symptoms.  Had more chest pain than usual climbing stairs recently.  Have excisional breast biopsy scheduled for next week.  Cardiologist wanted to follow up on chest pain before signing off on surgery.  Now he wants me to have another cath and may need a stent if there is truly a blockage.  If I do need a stent, would be on blood thinner for a year.  So need the biopsy now before the cath.  I am concerned if I need more extensive surgery if biopsy shows cancer.  How long can I wait for this cath?  What are the chances that the stress test was false positive?

[RITZGAL]

Thank you for your kindness.  I will have that cath.  

[Dr J Singh]

Hi,

A blockage can form in 3 years.

No test is perfect. Sometimes, these tests show abnormalities in people who do not have coronary artery disease (a false-positive result), and sometimes tests do not show any abnormalities in people who have the disease (a false-negative result). In people without symptoms, especially younger people, the likelihood of coronary artery disease is low, despite an abnormal test result. In such cases, a positive result is usually more likely to be false than true.

The gold standard is coronary angiography. I think you should undergo coronary angiography after the excision biopsy as you’ll also be assured if the coronary angiography comes out to be normal.

I hope that helps. Please do keep me posted. Kind Regards.