Further studies on the effect of meals on electrocardiographic pattern in patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease (angima pectoris) and normal electrocardiogram at rest.

The study included 380 subjects divided into 3 groups. Group I comprised 148 patients with angina pectoris and normal resting ECG. Group II included 172 patients with angina pectoris and ECG changes (52 with changes of the ST-T at rest, 120 patients after myocardial infarction). Group III [control] comprised 60 young healthy volunteers aged 21--24 years. In all subjects the ECG was recorded in the morning before breakfast, and then 30 and 60 min. after breakfast. On the following day, Master's test I was performed in group I and III and when its result was negative, Master's test II was carried out. In patients of group I, ST-T changes developed after meals in 113 cases (76.4%) and after Master's tests in 118 cases [79.7%]. In group II, ST-T changes became more intense in 97 [56.3%]. In the control group, ECG changes developed after meals in one case [1.6%] and after Master's tests in two [3.2%]. It is concluded that ECG examination after meals may be a valuable diagnositc test of ischaemic heart disease in patients with normal resting ECG in the period without anginal attacks when contraindications to Master's tests are present.