Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
perfusion defect
Area of reduced or absent blood flow detected on cardiac imaging studies.
Full Definition
A perfusion defect refers to an area of the myocardium that demonstrates reduced or absent blood flow on nuclear medicine studies, cardiac MRI, or CT perfusion imaging. These defects can be classified as reversible (indicating ischemia) or fixed (suggesting previous myocardial infarction or scar tissue). Stress testing often reveals perfusion defects that are not apparent at rest, helping to identify coronary artery disease. The size, location, and severity of perfusion defects guide treatment decisions and risk stratification in patients with suspected or known coronary disease.
In Context
- "SPECT imaging revealed a large reversible perfusion defect in the anterior wall." — Nuclear cardiology report
- "The patient's stress test showed no perfusion defects, ruling out significant coronary disease." — Clinical assessment
Also known as
hypoperfusion
perfusion abnormality
Contrasted with
normal perfusion
homogeneous uptake
Don't confuse with
perfusion reserve
wall motion abnormality