PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Deckers, J W
AU  - Rensing, B J
AU  - Tijssen, J G
AU  - Vinke, R V
AU  - Azar, A J
AU  - Simoons, M L
TI  - A comparison of methods of analysing exercise tests for diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
AID  - 10.1136/hrt.62.6.438
DP  - 1989 Dec 01
TA  - British Heart Journal
PG  - 438--444
VI  - 62
IP  - 6
4099  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/62/6/438.short
4100  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/62/6/438.full
SO  - Heart1989 Dec 01; 62
AB  - 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.