Diagnostic accuracy of exercise electrocardiogram in patients with left anterior hemi-block

Rimoldi, Stefano F; de Marchi, Stefano F.; Gertsch, Marc; Delacrétaz, Etienne (2008). Diagnostic accuracy of exercise electrocardiogram in patients with left anterior hemi-block. Swiss medical weekly, 138(37-38), pp. 557-562. Muttenz: EMH Schweizerischer Ärzteverlag

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BACKGROUND: Left anterior hemiblock (LAHB) is the most frequent conduction abnormality, but its impact on the diagnostic accuracy of the exercise ECG has not been studied. The aim of our study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ST depression for predicting ischaemia in the presence of LAHB. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients with known or suspected coronary heart disease undergoing exercise ECG and 99mTc-sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were included in the analysis. Patients with left bundle branch block, with changes in QRS morphology related to myocardial infarction, and patients who had undergone pharmacological stress testing were excluded. RESULTS: Of 1532 patients assessed, 567 patients qualified for the analysis. In 69 patients with LAHB, ECG stress testing had lower sensitivity (38% vs 86%) and lower negative predictive value (82% vs 92%) than in patients with normal baseline ECG. The reduction of sensitivity appeared to be similar in patients with isolated LAHB (n=43), in patients with right bundle branch block (n=39), and with bifascicular block (n=26). In contrast, the positive predictive value of the test was excellent. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of the exercise ECG for prediction of ischaemia is reduced in patients with LAHB.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Cardiovascular Disorders (DHGE) > Clinic of Cardiology

UniBE Contributor:

Rimoldi, Stefano, De Marchi, Stefano, Delacrétaz, Etienne

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

1424-7860

ISBN:

18803037

Publisher:

EMH Schweizerischer Ärzteverlag

Language:

English

Submitter:

Factscience Import

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 15:02

Last Modified:

02 Mar 2023 23:22

PubMed ID:

18803037

Web of Science ID:

000259419300005

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/26939 (FactScience: 99161)

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