Multivariate Approach to the Treadmill Stress Test: Prospective Study

Abstract

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.