A Model for Predicting Mortality After Treadmill Testing in Suspected Coronary Disease

A model that incorporates clinical variables and exercise testing results predicted mortality better than a score based on exercise testing alone did.

Researchers sought to improve the accuracy of treadmill testing for predicting long-term survival by combining test results with clinical and historical variables. They prospectively studied 33,268 patients with normal electrocardiograms and without known heart disease who were undergoing stress testing for suspected coronary artery disease at a major U.S. medical center.

During a median follow-up of 6 years, 5% of patients died. According to Duke exercise treadmill scores (based on functional capacity, electrocardiographic evidence of ischemia, and test-induced angina pectoris), 19% had intermediate risk and <1% had high risk. In a multivariable model in which clinical and historical variables and test results were considered, significant p…

Reviewing Author

Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM