TY - JOUR T1 - A comparison of methods of analysing exercise tests for diagnosis of coronary artery disease. JF - British Heart Journal JO - Heart SP - 438 LP - 444 DO - 10.1136/hrt.62.6.438 VL - 62 IS - 6 AU - J W Deckers AU - B J Rensing AU - J G Tijssen AU - R V Vinke AU - A J Azar AU - M L Simoons Y1 - 1989/12/01 UR - http://heart.bmj.com/content/62/6/438.abstract N2 - The diagnostic accuracy of the following methods of analysing exercise tests were evaluated: (a) the cumulative area of ST segment depression during exercise normalised for workload and heart rate (exercise score); (b) discriminant analysis of electrocardiographic exercise variables, workload, and symptoms; and (c) ST segment amplitude changes during exercise adjusted for heart rate. Three hundred and forty five men without a history of myocardial infarction were studied. One hundred and twenty three were apparently healthy. Less than half (170) had coronary artery disease. All had a normal electrocardiogram at rest. A Frank lead electrocardiogram was computer processed during symptom limited bicycle ergometry. The accuracy of the exercise score (a) was low (sensitivity 67%, specificity 90%). Discriminant analysis (b) and ST segment amplitude changes adjusted for heart rate (c) had excellent diagnostic characteristics (sensitivity 80%, specificity 90%), which were little affected by concomitant use of beta blockers. Both methods seem well suited for diagnostic application in clinical practice. ER -