Stress electrocardiography testing in coronary artery disease: Is it time for its swan song or to redefine its role in the modern era ?

Abstract

Stress electrocardiography (sECG) or treadmill stress testing is a well validated noninvasive diagnostic modality available to clinicians at low cost yet providing valuable functional data for coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnostic and prognostic evaluation. With the advances in cardiac imaging in both functional and anatomic fronts and the existing limitations of sECG testing, this modality appears less favored worldwide as reflected in some recent guideline updates. We review the past present and future of sECG to provide a viewpoint on where it stands in CAD evaluation and if it will remain relevant as a diagnostic modality or be retired going forward. We also provide our perspectives on how sECG can co-exist with other modalities such as calcium scoring and discuss the role of such testing in the Indian population.

Keywords

• Stress electrocardiography
• Treadmill stress testing
• Coronary artery disease
• Coronary calcium scoring
• Stress cardiac imaging
• Cardiac computed tomography