Evaluation of oral dipyridamole electrocardiography test in ischaemic heart disease

J Assoc Physicians India. 1997 Nov;45(11):860-2.

Abstract

Forty-three cases of ischaemic heart disease of the age group 35-72 yrs with positive treadmill test (TMT) results were administered dipyridamole in the morning on empty stomach. Heart rate, BP and ECG were recorded before and every 15 mins after oral dipyridamole upto 2 hrs. ECG was repeated every 5 mins when patients developed angina or ischaemic ECG changes. Oral dipyridamole electrocardiography test (ODET) was found to be positive in 21 (48.83%) cases and majority of them developed ST depression in 25-40 mins and persisted for less than 30 mins. While compared with TMT results patients having chest pain, lower target heart rate (< 75%), shorter time to onset (< 2 mins) of ST depression and longer duration (> 8 mins) of ST depression had significantly higher rates of positivity on ODET than those without these manifestations. There were minor changes in hemodynamic parameter (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and other minor side effects encountered include mild headache and benign unifocal VPCs. Oral dipyridamole is viewed as a safe drug and may be used as a substitute for TMT specially in economically poor and physically disabled patients with significant coronary artery disease.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Dipyridamole* / administration & dosage
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Vasodilator Agents* / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Dipyridamole