Objective To investigate the value of treadmill exercise test and dipyridamole electrocardiography stress test (DP-T) in diagnosis of coronary heart diseases (CHD), with an attemp of developing a safe, effective and simple diagnostic method for patients intolerable to the exercise. Methods Fifty-two male patients aged from 41 to 75 years, averaged 58.44±8.79 years and with suspected or confirmed CHD were recruited to perform the treadmill exercise test, DP-T and coronary angiography, respectively, within one month. ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity of the treadmill exercise test for diagnosing CHD were 100% and 78.95%, respectively, while those of DP-T for diagnosing CHD were 79.31% and 65.22%, respectively.As corresponded to the number of sites of coronary artery lesions,the numbers of cases with positive results revealed were 0, 2, 10 and 17 by the treadmill exercise tests and 0, 6, 11 and 15 by DP-T, respectively.Based on the criteria of DP-T, the sensitivity and specificity symptom, the changes in electrocardiography (ECG) and the combination of the two, for diagnosing CHD were 72.41%, 65.22%; 65.52%, 82.61%;and 79.31%, 65.22%, respectively. ConclusionThe sensitivity and specificity of the treadmill exercise test and the DP-T in the diagnosis of CHD were similar. More positive cases were revealed in above mentioned tests as the sites and degree of coronary artery lesion increased. DP-T was particularly suitable for helping diagnose CHD in patients intolerable to exercise. |