[I. Usefulness of the exertion test and other methods based on the electrocardiogram in chronic ischemic disease]

Exercise testing still plays an important role in the management of patients with chronic ischemic heart disease, not only in the diagnosis but also in their prognostic and functional evaluation, and in the assessment of effects of the therapy. Moreover, ambulatory electrocardiography, signal averaged electrocardiography and heart rate variability provide useful information for certain groups of patients. This paper reviews the rationale, methodology and indications of the above mentioned procedures applied to chronic ischemic heart disease, with special reference to exercise testing. Recommendations for their use in clinical practice are also made.