[Early ergometry following acute myocardial infarction?]

One hundred and twenty patients underwent a symptom limited submaximal exercise test (SSET) 8-40 days after acute myocardial infarction. No complications occurred during the exercise test. Sixty-two patients (52%) showed a normal SSET. ST-segment depression (greater than or equal to 1 mm) was detected in 21 (17.5%). Dyspnea, fatigue, inadequate blood pressure response and angina pectoris without changes in ST-segments were the end-point in 33 patients (27.5%). Furthermore, significant premature ventricular contractions occurred in four cases (3%) and limited the SSET. An SSET soon after myocardial infarction can be performed without risk. High specificity of ST-segment depression in lead V5 was confirmed by the coronary angiographic findings. Apart from ST-segment depression there were other, more frequent nonspecific end-points of SSET which require further examination regarding their prognostic value.