Ventricular ectopic activity during exercise testing in patients with myocardial infarction. The relation to severity of coronary artery disease and return to work.

Ninety-eight male patients with a first myocardial infarction aged 40-55 years were randomly assigned to either a control group or to a six-week intensive cardiac rehabilitation programme. An exercise test was performed at 8 to 16 weeks after myocardial infarction and thereafter every year for five years. Ventricular ectopic activity during exercise testing had no influence on return to work in the first year, although it was related to the development of angina pectoris. Angina pectoris was the only discriminating factor for return to work and in this group of patients cardiac rehabilitation did not show any influence. Possible reasons for this lack of effect are discussed.