Page 93 - Cardiac testing for coronary artery disease in potential kidney transplant recipients

Table 1. Description of index tests (Continued)

inter-observer vari-
ability

Resting ECG Transthoracic inter- Provides in- Neither sensitive Dichotomous (i.e. None
pretationof the elec- formation regarding nor specific presence or absence
trical activity of the the elec- Does not provide of certain ECG fea-
heart over time cap- trical function of the any information of tures)
tured and externally myocardium, which reversible ischaemia
recorded by skin may suggest pre-ex-
electrodes isting ischaemia, left
ventric-
ular hypertrophy or
arrhythmias

CIMT Measurement of the Non-invasive Neither highly sen- Continuous Yes. This will vary
thickness of artery sitive nor specific depending on
walls, usually by ex- Does not provide the institution (e.g.
ternal ultrasound, to any information on 0.75 mm)
detect both the pres- cardiac function
ence and to track
the progression of
atherosclerotic dis-
ease in
humans. Used as a
surrogate marker for
atherosclerosis

Cardiopulmonary Evaluates both car- Non-invasive mea- Not commonly per- Dichotomous (e.g. Yes, although these
exercise testing diac and pulmonary surement of ventric- formed stress ECG positive will vary for dif-
func- ular function, respi- or stress ECG nega- ferent variables and
tion. Cardiac func- ratory function and tive; presence or ab- for different institu-
tion is evaluated in cellular function via sence of cardiac fail- tions
terms of aerobic ca- measurement of gas ure) and
pacity and respira- exchange, as well Contin-
tory function as detection of my- uous (e.g. measure-
The subject is ex- ocardial ischaemia ment of the max-
ercised on a bi- Excellent method imum aerobic ca-
cycle ergometer or of evaluating fitness pacity and anaero-
treadmill. The test and operative fitness bic threshold)
enables calculation
of maximal aero-
bic capacity and the
point during exer-
cise where anaerobic
metabolism is used
to supplement aer-
obic metabolism as
a source of energy.
These can be mea-

Cardiac testing for coronary artery disease in potential kidney transplant recipients (Review) 91
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