QRS score improves diagnostic ability of treadmill exercise testing in women.

OBJECTIVE

The accuracy of treadmill exercise testing to detect coronary artery disease is limited in women. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether QRS score can improve the accuracy of treadmill exercise testing in women.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 114 women with angina-like symptoms, who underwent both treadmill exercise testing and coronary angiography. The impact of QRS score on the standard ST-segment based diagnostic ability of treadmill exercise testing to detect coronary artery disease was studied.

RESULTS

Incorporation of QRS score in standard ST-segment diagnostic criteria significantly enhanced sensitivity (from 59 to 80%), specificity (from 40 to 94%) and diagnostic accuracy (from 50 to 87%) of treadmill exercise testing. The QRS score was shown to reduce significantly the false-positive results from 60 to 6%. Furthermore, QRS score accuracy was correlated with the extent of coronary artery disease. The diagnostic ability of QRS score was greater both among patients with normal and impaired systolic function of the left ventricle.

CONCLUSIONS

QRS score can improve the limited diagnostic accuracy of treadmill exercise testing in women, by predominantly decreasing the high prevalence of false-positive results.