Ergomentry under physical load

Overview

Ergomentry under physical load represents a simple and widly applied investigational method. Cardiological societies in various countries have elaborated common procedures that express the present standpoint of the cardiological public to this procedure. The objective of the paper is to acquaint the broad medical public with the present state of this problem. Summarized are briefly the principles of the investigation method, its indications, contraindications, and risks. Mentioned are all basic pieces of information and recommendations of the Czech and European cardiological societies, and discussed are American recommendations that include newer indications, first of all burden ergomentry in patients with unstable angina pectoris and in asymptomatic patients suffering obturating stenosis of the aorta. Special attention is given to the sensitivity and specificity of the methopd. Described are states in which the method does not contribute to our knowledge and picturing methods have to be used. The article is to inform physicians about burden ergometry, its advantages as well as its limits.

Key words:
burden ergometry – pulse frequency – burden tolerance – ECG.