Low level treadmill testing of 41 patients with acute myocardial infarction prior to discharge from the hospital

Abstract

It is recommended that patients with acute myocardial infarction be able to perform activities of daily living at approximately 3 METs at the time of hospital discharge. Implementation of this recommendation requires that the hemodynamic responses at the 3 METs level be assessed prior to discharge. Symptoms, blood pressures, heart rates, and electrocardiographic responses of 41 AMI patients (eight women and 33 men, mean age, 60 years) during a low-level treadmill test were studied 11 days after acute myocardial iffarction. Twenty-nine of 41 patients (71 percent) completed the test. Fatigue a the most common reason for stopping the test early. Between rest and maximum exercise there were increases of 13 percent in systolic blood pressure, 25 percent in heart rate, and 40 percett in pressure-rate product. The resting systolic blood pressures, heart rates, and pressure-rate products were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the patients who were unable tofinish the test. ST-segment elevation or depression ≥ 1 mm. was seen in 14 patients. This low-level treadmill test was safe under well supevised conditions; it provided objective information about the patient's readiness for discharge. This type of information can be used for patient teaching and discharge planning.