Search

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%).

One-hundred and eighty-nine patients who underwent cardiac catheterization for suspected ischemic heart disease were assigned to four different groups depending on the number of diseased vessels (0, 1, 2, 3), the dominant artery and the presence of left main coronary stenosis. Among the 45 parameters obtained from history, physical examination, E.C.G., and exercise test multivariate analysis identified (positive stress test, maximal systolic blood pressure, documented myocardial infarction, maximal heart rate, ipercholesterolemia, lateral myocardial infarction, angina during stress test) that were statistically significant. A score system was devised on the basis of the summed-up value of the seven parameters. When the patients were assigned, according to the score, to one of the previously mentioned 4 groups, the classification proved to be correct in 54% of the cases. When we divided the patients in two groups with or without coronary artery disease so that the attribution turned out to be correct in 92% of the cases (sensitivity 94%, specificity 77%), whereas when based on ST segment depression only, the classification was correct in 85% of the cases (sensitivity 84%, specificity 88%).

One thousand coronary arteriography performed in the catheterization laboratory of the Department of Cardiology (University of Padua) from 1973 to 1978 were reviewed. Indication to perform a coronary arteriography was established in 668 patients with clinically suspected coronary artery disease and in 332 patients affected by different heart disease in whom the study of coronary arteries was judged to be usefull. The percutaneous technique was usually employed. The overall mortality rate was 0.2%; there were no death in the last three years. The overall morbility was 3.5% (2.3 from 1976 to 1978). The anterior descending artery appeared to be the most frequently and precociously affected area. There was a good correlation between severity of the atherosclerotic lesions and age or sex of the patients. We could recognize coronary disease, when present, on the basis of clinical evaluation in patients without different heart disease.

A study was carried out on 59 patients with significant stenosis (greater than or equal to 75%) in at least one coronary vessel. For each parietal region of the left ventricle the pattern of contraction was defined through a study of the regional deformation as vectorial time-dependent parameter and of the construction of the pressure-length loops. The different models obtained in basal conditions and through intervention (nitroglycerin and post-extrasystolic potentiation) were correlated with experimental data on ischemic alterations of the regional mechanical performance.