[Safety of maximal ergometric loading in a population of 37,250 individuals at risk (1969-1994)]

No fatal complications occurred in 37,250 exercise tests (98.7% symptom limited) including 683 predischarge maximal tests in patients soon after myocardial infarction. Acute myocardial infarction was observed in 4 patients, ventricular fibrillation in 1 patient was successfully resolved by defibrillation. Extension of infarct area was recorded in 1 patient soon after myocardial infarction. Complication rates decreased from 1:3,400 in years 1969-1984 to 11,700 in years 1985-1994. Maximal exercise testing soon after myocardial infarction appears to be safe too. It cannot be replaced by submaximal testing. It appears to define high-risk patients suitable for revascularization procedures.