How long is an exercise stress test reliable in a patient with chest pain and a recent negative exercise stress test?

Abstract

Evidence-Based Answer There is a high negative predictive value (NPV) for myocardial infarction (MI) or cardiac death in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) and a negative exercise stress echocardiogram (98%) or exercise stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) (99%) for approximately 3 years (SOR: B, meta-analysis of cohort trials). In patients with no known CAD evaluated in an office setting, an exercise stress test (EST) has a sensitivity of 71% and NPV of 99% for diagnosis of new CAD at 6 years (SOR: B, case series).