[The role of ergometric testing in the clinical evaluation of arrhythmia]

Ergometric stress testing seems useful in the identification of some supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias induced by exercise, but poorly indicative for the purpose of prognosis, because the risk of sudden death seems to be linked to the extent of coronary artery disease or left ventricular failure. Ergometric stress testing, with ambulatory ECG, have an important role in the evaluation of the effects of antiarrhythmic drugs. This stress testing, favouring the importance of the efficacy of therapy, of probably worsening of arrhythmia, of congestive heart failure and/or conduction abnormalities, allows a more accurate prescription of physical activity and antiarrhythmic drugs.