Prognostic Value of Normal Exercise Echocardiography in a One-Year Follow-up

Abstract

Background: Exercise echocardiography is a well-validated technique for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. In addition to the diagnostic role, it also provides useful prognostic information. Objectives: The aim of this cross sectional study was to assess the prognosis of patients with negative exercise echocardiographic results over a one-year period follow-up. Patients and Methods: The outcomes of 336 patients who had normal exercise echocardiograms were examined. All clinical and exercise echocardiogram parameters were recorded. Patients were followed up for 1 year. End points were defined as cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, hospital admission for coronary artery disease, and coronary revascularization. Results: Mean age was 54.55 ± 10.34 years. 63.4 % were women. The most frequent risk factor was hypertension. There was no significant statistical difference between men and women regarding the prevalence of systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and history of coronary artery bypass grafting. 5.67% of men and 8.9 % of women had positive exercise tolerance test for ischemia. Hemodynamic parameters, diastolic function, severity of mitral regurgitation, pulmonary artery pressures, peak strain rate were not significantly different between men and women, but rest strain rates were significantly lower in women. Total exercise times and exercise capacity were higher in men. After a 1-year follow-up there was no cardiac events and mortality. Conclusions: Patients with normal exercise echocardiogram results regardless of ischemia or chest pain during the test had excellent outcomes over a one-year follow-up.