[Sensitivity and specificity of the exertion test in elderly patients]

One hundred and fifty four patients who presented at our Institution for suspected coronary artery disease were evaluated. They were divided in two groups: A) 77 patients older than 65 years (X = 68.35 +/- 2.99 years), and B) 77 patients younger than 65 years (X = 51.01 +/- 7.50 years). Diagnostic exercise test and coronary angiography were performed in all. Most tests in both groups were terminated due to physical exhaustion (71% and 74% in groups A and B, respectively). During the exercise test there was a higher incidence of ventricular premature beats and lower limb pain in the older group, while angina was more common in the younger group. The overall sensitivity of the test was similar in both groups (88%), with a high prevalence in both (86% in group A and 78% in group B). The sensitivity regarding the extension of coronary artery disease was higher for the detection of one-vessel disease in the younger group (76% vs 63%), while it was higher in the older group for the detection of two and three-vessel disease (86% and 91% vs 84% and 80% in the younger group).