Abstract

Routine submaximum bicycle ergometry testing with continuous ECG monitoring conducted in 900 patients 3 weeks after the onset of acute myocardial infarction has demonstrated the safety of this procedure. Complications in the acute phase of the disease were not considered contraindications for exercise. A relationship has been found between anginal pain and ST depression in response to exercise and the rate of sudden cardiac deaths over a two-year follow-up period, the correlation being the strongest for the first 6 months after the onset of MI. Therefore, stress tolerance testing at such an early stage of the condition makes it possible to identify subjects at high risk of sudden death, and also can serve as a criterion in selecting adequate individualized strategy of rehabilitation. Verf.-Referat