Arrhythmia With an Exercise Test
Mazen M Kawji1, D Luke Glancy2
1Heartland Cardiovascular Center, Silver Cross Hospital, New Lenox, Illinois.
The American Journal of Cardiology
|July 29, 2020
Summary
A 64-year-old man experienced ventricular fibrillation during an exercise stress test. This event resolved spontaneously, highlighting a potential complication of stress testing in patients with coronary artery disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Established coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant risk factor for cardiac events.
- Exercise stress testing is a common diagnostic tool for evaluating CAD.
Observation:
- A 64-year-old male patient with known CAD presented with symptoms of bradycardia and chest pain.
- During an exercise stress test, the patient developed ventricular fibrillation.
Findings:
- The ventricular fibrillation episode spontaneously resolved without intervention.
- Cardiac enzymes remained normal, suggesting no acute myocardial infarction at presentation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for serious arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation, during exercise stress testing.
- Careful patient selection and monitoring are crucial during stress tests, especially in individuals with known coronary disease.
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