ST-segment fluctuation during treadmill exercise in patients with angina pectoris

The level of the ST-segment fluctuates transiently during treadmill exercise in some patients with angina pectoris. In the present study, the incidence and clinical significance of ST-segment fluctuation were studied before and after propranolol in 52 patients with angina pectoris. A transient greater than 0.5-mm (0.05 mV) upward shift of the ST-segment during a graded treadmill test was considered a significant fluctuation in leads without signs of previous myocardial infarction. The fluctuation was observed in three of 30 patients with rest or rest and effort angina pectoris before propranolol and in 14 of them after propranolol, while only one of 22 patients with effort angina alone showed fluctuation after the drug. Coronary arteriography revealed that in 15 patients showing ST-segment fluctuation with propranolol, seven patients had no significant coronary stenosis, six had one-vessel disease and two had two-vessel disease. In 24 patients with documented coronary artery spasm, ST-segment fluctuation was induced in two (8%) before propranolol and in 13 (54%) after propranolol. Our results suggest that ST-segment fluctuation during graded treadmill exercise may be related to transient coronary vasospasms exacerbated by propranolol.