title: Sensitivity, specificity and predictive accuracy of Q wave, QX/QT ratio, QTc interval and ST depression during exercise testing in men with coronary artery disease.
abstract: One hundred forty-three subjects (107 with coronary artery disease [CAD], 23 without CAD [evaluated by coronary angiography] and 13 athletes) were selected for this study. All subjects underwent exercise testing to evaluate sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of Q wave, QX/QT ratio, QTc interval and ST depression. The Q-wave analysis revealed less sensitivity (49%) and less specificity (83%) than ST depression (71% and 97%, respectively). The QTc criterion had greater sensitivity (80%) than ST depression but less specificity (11%). The QX/QT criterion was no different in sensitivity (74%) but had less specificity (69%). To establish the statistical evaluation of the positive predictive value in CAD, variations in the prevalence of the disease were considered. A 90% prevalence gives the best positive predictive value on all evaluated measurements, between 100% for ST depression and 89% for the QTc criterion. A 5% prevalence, however, gives an acceptable positive predictive value only on ST-segment depression (57%).
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Egloff
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Merola
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schiavon
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schiavinato
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Modena
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stritoni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corbara
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miraglia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000592:standards*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity