[ST-segment depression and R-amplitude changes during bicycle stress test in patients with coronary artery disease (author's transl)]

Abstract

56 patients were examined with bicycle stress tests. Sensitivity and specificity of ST-segment depression were compared with R-wave amplitude changes. All patients had a coronary angiography because of suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). The specificity of ST-segment depression was 71%, for R-wave amplitude changes 50%. The sensitivity for ST-segment depression was 76% and for R-wave amplitude changes 50%. In addition in 7 patients with angiographically demonstrated CAD repeated stress tests were done. The ST-segment changes were nearly constant in all examinations, whereas the R-wave amplitude in V5 in 5 out of 7 patients changed considerably between decrease and increase. Considering these intraindividual changes, it seems doubtful whether the evaluation of the R-wave amplitude proves to be an improvement of the non-invasive diagnostic procedures of CAD.