Multivariate Approach to the Treadmill Stress Test: Prospective Study

The multivariate analysis approach in 30 normal subjects and 84 patients significantly improved the sensitivity and correct classification rate when compared to the stress test (ST) response (p < 0.05). Although the probability of disease could separate normal from diseased subjects, it could not separate single from multivessel disease. The correct classification rate remained the same for all probabilities ≧50%, suggesting that a higher probability was not more accurate in detecting disease. Multivariate analysis appears to be a valuable method in detecting disease and appears to improve diagnostic accuracy over the ST response alone, especially in men.