[Diagnostic accuracy of exercise testing for diagnosis of coronary artery disease: the need for a critical review].
In this review the meaning of exercise electrocardiographic changes and interpretative pitfalls in particular clinical conditions are critically reassessed. Existing studies have been carried out on different populations and with different gold standards, nevertheless exercise testing if correctly analyzed and interpreted, can provide invaluable information for diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Given its feasibility, diffusion and low risk, it remains indeed the first choice test in the diagnostic algorithm of ischemic heart disease. The use of more sophisticated and expensive tests have to be limited to selected groups of patients in whom exercise testing, correctly interpreted, remains really doubtful or prematurely interrupted.
Vallebona
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Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Centro Regionale di Riabilitazione Cardiologica, Ospedale di Rapallo (GE). alessandrovallebona@iol.it
Gigli
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D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity