Statistical methods to improve the precision of the treadmill exercise test.
OBJECTIVE
The study systematically compared different measures of ST segment depression from the treadmill exercise test.


BACKGROUND
The value of the treadmill exercise test for objectively measuring treatment effects is limited by random error in the measurement of ST depression and may be biased by regression to the mean or by the decision to terminate the test.


METHODS
Treadmill exercise was performed in 21 subjects with ischemic heart disease 1 h after isosorbide dinitrate 10 mg or placebo in a double-blind randomized crossover study. A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded every 30 s during and at peak exercise. The relative sample size needed to detect the nitrate effect was compared for different summary measures of ST depression.


RESULTS
The ST depression measured from a single unmatched lead at longest equivalent sub-maximal exercise needed the lowest sample size to detect the nitrate effect in paired comparisons (p = 0.000006). Averaging over multiple leads or times did not improve detection of the nitrate effect. The rate of increase in ST depression (in mm/min) calculated by linear regression needed a similar sample size (x1.32, 95% CI 0.62 to 2.58). A larger sample size was needed for ST depression at peak exercise (x2.9, CI 1.3, 11.1) and exercise duration (x4.5, CI 1.5, 38). Time to 1-mm ST depression was the least efficient measurement (relative sample size x15.5, CI 1.6, >1,000). Comparison of matched leads resulted in >2-fold differences in estimates of the nitrate effect because of bias from regression to the mean.


CONCLUSIONS
Maximal ST depression at longest equivalent sub-maximal exercise and the maximal rate of increase in ST depression had less bias and random variation than did other commonly used measures. The rate of increase in ST depression is preferred because it can be calculated in either paired or unpaired studies.
Stewart
R A
RA
Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. rstewart@ahsl.co.nz
Kittelson
J
J
Kay
I P
IP
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects / Q000379:methods*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate