Exercise Testing after Nontransmural Myocardial Infarction

In order to ascertain the prognostic value of exercise testing in patients suffering nontransmural myocardial infarction, 74 patients performed a bicycle-ergometric test 4 weeks after the onset of the illness. The test induced angina and/or ischemic changes of ECG in 33 (group B) patients and no ischemic abnormalities in 41 (group A) patients. Following the exercise testing, all the patients performed a similar supervised exercise training program. Group A patients increased both their maximal work capacity (MWC) (mean + 26.4%, P < 0.001) and their total work performed (TWP) (mean + 54.8%, p < 0.001). 1 patient suffered a new transmural infarction during the training period. Although group B patients similarly increased their MWC (mean + 16.0%, P < 0.001) and TWP (mean + 30.0%, p < 0.005), 1 patient died suddenly and 1 patient experienced a new transmural infarction during the training period. In addition, another 2 group B patients stopped their training program due to the onset of recurrent angina at rest. Coronary angiographic examination was performed on 20 patients of each group within 12 weeks of the acute nontransmural myocardial infarction. The percentage of nor