Identification of Multivessel Disease by a New Exercise Testing Index: Stress-Recovery Index

We examined the value of a new index (Stressrecovery Index (SRI)) combining information on the amount and kinetics of ST depression in the heart rate domain during exercise and recovery in identifying multivessel disease (MVD). 168 cases without previous myocardial infaretion underwent symptom-limited treadınili exercise testing and coronary angiography. At the end of each test, the lead exhibiting the greatest ST depression was selected for further analysis to calculate the SRI. The heart rate and corresponding ST segment values were plotted on a coordinate system, against x- and y-axes, respectively. The intersection points of the lines transversing each value at the axes were combined to form a line and the area subtended to baseline and limited by the ST trend against heart ra te during both exercise (A 1) and recovery (A2) w as calculated. The difference between A ı and A2 was defined as the SRI. Patients were divided into two groups according to the angiographic results: patients with MVD (group I, n=79) and patients without MVD (group II, n=89). The mean SRI of group I was significantly lower than that of group II (-21.1 ± 24, I I. O± 28 mm. beats.min-1.; pKeywords: Exercise testing, stress-recovery index.