Copyright © 1987 by the European Society of Cardiology.
© 1987 The European Society of Cardiology
Enhanced efficacy of computerized exercise test by multivariate analysis for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. A study of 558 men without previous myocardial infarction
Service de Cardiologie B et Hémodynamique, Centra Hospitalier et Unviersitaire de Lille France
Received 3 June 1986; revised 16 June 1987; .
Jean Marc Lablanche, Service de Cardiologie B, Hopital cardiologique, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, 59037 Lille Cedex, France. Tel 20.51 92.80 Poste 5302.
Multivariate analysis has been proposed to enhance diagnostic accuracy of the exercise test in coronary artery disease. To quantify the improvement given by multivariate analysis in comparison with ST segment depression alone during exercise test, 558 men without previous myocardial infarction were studied retrospectively. All the patients underwent a symptom-limited Bruce protocol with computer-averaged recordings in v5, a VF, V2. Coronary angiography was performed within the following 90 days. Prevalence of coronary artery disease (diameter narrowing of 50%or greater) was 0.56.Among 12 clinical and exercise parameters studied by stepwise multivariate analysis, five were found to reach the maximal accuracy: (1) exercise duration, (2) history of typical angina, (3) typical angina during the test. (4) age, (5) maximal heart rate. In comparison with ST depression, multivariate analysis significantly improves accuracy (74.6 vs, 66.8%, P<0.01) by increasing sensitivity (0.68 vs. 0.59, P<0.05) without affecting specificity (0.83 vs. 0.76, NS).Thus, in a group of men without infarction and a low prevalence of coronary artery disease, multivariate analysis with five easily collected variables is more accurate than ST segment depression alone during exercise. In addition, ST depression did not appear as discriminant as exercise duration for diagnostic purposes. This finding emphasises the importance of performing a symptom-limited exercise test.
Key Words: Exercise stress test coronary artery disease multivariate analysis ST segment depression