evaluation of exercise stress test for coronary artery disease and outcome

ABSTRACT

To describe the frequency of indications, results and different parameters observed during the test. Design: A descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study This study was carried out in coronary care unit of Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi from January, 2001 to January, 2002. Subjects and One hundred booked patients were selected by non-probability convenient sampling. Exercise stress test was done on Quintron Q710 Exercise and Resting ECG System. Patients having suspected coronary artery disease having typical or atypical angina pectoris, any rhythm disorders, and known coronary artery disease 6-8 weeks after myocardial infarction were included in the study. Out of 100 patients, 75 were males and 25 females. Twenty-seven% patients presented with typical chest pain [resting and exertional] and among them 18 had positive test. Among these, 9 [56.25%] male and 2 [33.3%] female patients developed significant ST-T changes in recovery period. Most common ST-T deviation lead was v4 [n=5] in males and lead III [n=2] in females. Out of 60 patients [60%] with atypical chest pain, only 3 [5%] males were found positive. Fifty-eight% patients [44 males, 14 females] were older than 40 years. Patients with inconclusive or borderline test included 10 [10%] males and 2 [2%] females. For primary care physicians, exercise stress testing is a cost-effective tool to evaluate patients presenting with symptoms of classical as well as atypical chest pain. It helps to stratify those with probable coronary artery disease into a high-risk group needing referral and a low-risk group that can be observed