The sensitivity of first-pass radionuclide cineangiography in the detection of coronary artery disease was evaluated in 60 patients subdivided equally according to age younger than or older than 75 years. The mean age of group 1 (age > or = 75 years) was 80.2 years +/- 5.3, and the mean age in group 2 (age < 75 years) was 62.0 years +/- 6.4. Disease prevalence in group 1 was 87% versus 80% in group 2. Group 1 had higher prevalence of hypertension (67% vs 33%) and lower prevalence of typical angina pectoris (23% vs 55%). Overall sensitivity of first-pass radionuclide cineangiography in group 1 was 93% versus 97% in group 2. Older patients had significantly lower maximal heart rates, workloads, and exercise durations, and age correlations were significant for exercise heart rate, workload, and exercise duration. Failure to achieve an adequate exercise endpoint had significant effect on testing sensitivity only in the younger subjects (98% vs 60%), indicating that sensitivity of first-pass radionuclide cineangiography is age independent.