False positive diagnostic tests and coronary angiographic findings in 105 presumably healthy males

Abstract

Among 2014 presumably healthy males aged 40-59 yr coronary heart disease (CHD) was suggested in 115 in the presence of one or more of the following criteria: a WHO questionnaire on agina pectoris positive on interview, typical angina during a near maximal bicyce exercise test, a positive exercise ECG during and/or post exercise, a Minnesota Code 1.1 on a resting ECG. Diagnostic coronary angiography was offered to all 115 CHD suspect cases. Six refused angiography and 4 others were excluded. Of the remaining 105, 36 had less than 50% obstruction of any major coronary artery (34.3%). Eighteen (17.1%) had single, 25 (23.8%) had double and 26 (24.8%) had triple vessel disease. In 62 of the 69 with pathologic angiograms at least one obstruction ≥75% was found. 80% of the cases with proven CHD were ≥50 years. All CHD suggestive criteria had approximately the same diagnostic performance regardless of age, i.e., approximately one false positive/two true positives. Except for one retroperitoneal hematoma no complications to angiography occurred.