Long-term preservation of left ventricular function in medically treated patients with coronary artery disease and persistent exercise-induced ischemia.

Little information is available on the long-term evolution of left ventricular function of medically treated patients with coronary artery disease and gross limitation of coronary flow reserve. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term evolution of effort tolerance and left ventricular function and their relation to the control of ischemic events in patients with coronary artery disease and prolonged inducible exercise-induced myocardial dysfunction who either declined or were ineligible for cardiac revascularization.