Early load-limiting versus symptom-limited exercise testing: prognostic value in 200 myocardial infarction patients

The prognostic value of early load-limited and symptom-limited exercise testing has been compared in 200 men younger than 65 years of age, after myocardial infarction. 164 patients performed both tests and in 79 of the 200 cases who performed the early test the result was positive (40%); the percentage of positive tests was higher with the symptom-limited test (53.6%). The prognostic value of both tests was high. During the follow-up the mortality rate was higher in patients with positive results, but the early test enables the identification of patients in a higher risk group before hospital discharge.