Normalization of abnormal T-waves during stress testing does not identify patients with reversible perfusion defects.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if T-wave normalization during exercise or dobutamine stress testing identified patients with myocardial ischemia as indicated by reversible perfusion defects.

METHODS

Exercise or dobutamine stress tests with perfusion scintigraphy were performed in 1,173 patients with abnormal T-waves on their baseline electrocardiograms. The results of perfusion scintigraphy were compared in patients with and without stress-induced T-wave normalization.

RESULTS

Only 33 of 270 patients with reversible perfusion defects (12.2%) had T-wave normalization during stress while 76.4% of 140 patients who had T-wave normalization during stress did not have a reversible perfusion defect. Results were similar for patients who did or did not reach 85% of their maximal predicted heart rate, for patients with and without Q-wave infarction on the baseline EKG and for patients who did or did not have ischemic ST-segment depression during stress.

CONCLUSIONS

T-wave normalization during stress testing has low sensitivity and poor positive predictive value for stress-induced reversible myocardial ischemia.