Value and limitations of exercise stress testing to predict the functional results of coronary artery bypass grafting.

To assess the value of exercise stress testing to predict the functional result of revascularization, 90 patients were evaluated by coronary angiography and exercise testing pre and postoperatively. Patients were classified on the basis of the postoperative angiogram in a group with successful surgery and a group with unsuccessful surgery. The predictive accuracy positive of ST segment depression to detect unsuccessful surgery was 67% The predictive accuracy negative was 61%. The best predictor of unsuccessful surgery was residual angina pectoris after revascularization with predictive value positive and negative of 85% and 60%, respectively. Thus exercise stress testing has limited value to accurately predict the degree of revascularization.