Dipyridamole-exercise association in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease

Dipyridamole-exercise ECG test (DET) was found to present a greater sensitivity than exercise or dipyridamole ECG test alone in detecting ischemic heart disease (IHD). A group of 39 patients with probable IHD and negative exercise test was investigated by i.v. dipyridamole administration. Eight subjects presented significant ECG changes. The remaining 31 subjects were submitted to a new exercise test which became positive in 7 subjects (23%). The percentage increases to 38% by taking into account the positive dipyridamole test. The authors concluded that DET substantially improve the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia in subjects with probable IHD and negative exercise test.