Pacing-induced myocardial ischemia in spite of nitroglycerin. Correlations regarding the extent of coronary artery disease.

In 10 patients without and 20 patients with various degrees of angiographically proven CAD 93 pacing runs were studied. Changes of PAm, of ECG, and of anginal pain serving as parameters of myocardial ischemia were correlated to the rate-pressure-product. In patients without CAD no correlations could be ascertained. In each patient with CAD determination of ischemia was achieved reproducibly. Ischemia threshold is represented by a sharp increase of PAm. Ischemia threshold seems a parameter to be preferred as compared to pain threshold. The extent of CAD (angiographically estimated) correlates well with the pacing test especially when collaterals are taken into account. After NG no substantial improvement of ischemia can be detected: Ischemia threshold before and after NG was reached at same rate pressure in each case. We conclude the atrial pacing test to be an excellent test for the provocation of myocardial ischemia. The test is also useful for estimation of the extent of CAD.