Exercise tolerance test as screening tool for suspected myocardial ischemia

ABSTRACT

To identify the common indications for Exercise tolerance Test [ETT] and to determine the frequency of IHD among subjects who presented with chest pain. It was a cross-sectional study; the data was taken from the Exercise Tolerance Test [ETT] Unit at Department of Cardiology Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar using Bruce protocol. Out of 200 patients, there were 116 [58%] males and 84 [42%] females who presented in the cardiology department for ETT. Common indications for ETT were chest pain 124 [62%] and shortness of breath 24[12%], while 24[12%] and 28[14%] of subject were referred for general checkup and nonspecific symptoms respectively. Exercise ECG showed no ST changes in 100[50%] patients. The most common risk factors were smoking, hypertension, obesity and diabetes. Majority of subjects 148[74%] were test negative for ischemic heart disease and angina, 36[18%] have test positive for ischemia and angina and only 16[8%] ETT were negative for ischemic heart disease and positive for arrhythmias. We recommend using ETT as a screening tool in patients who present with features simulating angina, this prevent unnecessary hospital admissions