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Complications in 1000 consecutive treadmill tests
S K Malani1, C P Roy, C S Nath
1Department of Medicine, AFMC, Pune.
Insights
Treadmill tests (TMT) are safe, with only 1.8% of 1000 patients experiencing complications like arrhythmias or hypotension. Proper patient selection and expert supervision ensure a secure diagnostic procedure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Diagnostic Procedures
Background:
- Treadmill tests (TMT) are a common diagnostic tool in cardiology.
- Assessing the safety and complication rates of TMT is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report complications in 1000 consecutive Treadmill Tests (TMT) performed at a tertiary care hospital.
- To evaluate the safety of TMT when conducted under specific protocols and supervision.
Main Methods:
- 1000 consecutive TMTs were performed using the Bruce Protocol.
- Complications were analyzed based on Selzer's criteria.
- Coronary arteriography (CART) was performed on selected cases, including those with complications.
Main Results:
- A total of 18 complications (1.8%) were recorded.
- Observed complications included arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation), conduction disturbances, asystole, atrial flutter, hypotension, and severe angina.
- No acute myocardial infarctions or deaths occurred during the study.
- 5.0% of patients underwent Coronary Arteriography (CART).
Conclusions:
- TMT is a safe procedure when performed with appropriate patient selection.
- Supervision by an experienced and efficient medical team is essential for TMT safety.
- The low complication rate supports the continued use of TMT in cardiac diagnostics.
Abstract:
Complication in 1000 consecutive Tread Mill Tests (TMT) done at the Cardiology Centre of Command Hospital (SC) Pune are reported. The tests were done following Bruce Protocol and analysed based on Selzer's criteria. Complications were noted in 18 cases (1.8%) which included ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, malignant VPBs, conduction disturbances, asystole following hyperventilation (HV), complete SA block following HV, atrial flutter following HV, hypotension and severe angina requiring ICCU care. No acute myocardial infarctions or deaths were noted. Coronary arteriography (CART) was done in 50 (5.0%) selected cases including 10 with complications. It is concluded that TMT is a safe procedure if carried out after proper patient selection and under supervision of an experienced and efficient team.