REPRODUCIBILITY OF THE ST/HR ANALYSIS DURING ECG TEST IN ASYMPTOMATIC MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN

摘要

The objective of this study was to determine the reproducibility of the maximum ST/HR-hysteresis, ST/HR-index and ST-depression at peak exercise (ST_(peak)) in asymptomatic middle-aged women (AMW). Methods: The study population consisted of 98 AMWs (48-63 years). Maximal treadmill exercise tests were performed twice within 6 months using the same preparations and procedure. Maximum value of parameters was defined from standard 12-lead system (leads aVL, aVR, and V1 excluded). The reproducibility was determined using Bland-Altman analysis. The agreement of interpretation between the repeated measurements (AIRM) was also defined as a percentage of the subjects in which the interpretation of both measurements was the same. The positive test criteria were =>0.01 mV for ST/HR-hysteresis, =>1.60 muV/beats/min for ST/HR-index and =>0.10 mV for ST_(peak). Results: The reproducibilities were +-0.03 mV, +-1.71 uV/beats/min, +-0.09 mV and AIRMs were 99%, 94% and 91% for the ST/HR-hysteresis, ST/HR-index and ST_(peak). There were no significant differences between both testing sessions at the maximum HR achieved (176+-10 vs. 173+-10) or the descriptive clinical characteristics of the subjects. Conclusion: The reproducibility of all parameters in AMW is relatively poor. The agreement of the interpretation with ST/HR-hysteresis appeared to be better than with the ST/HR-index or ST_(peak).