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R D Duval

Publications and source records attributed to R D Duval.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Diagnostic accuracy of heart rate-adjusted ST segments compared with standard ST-segment criteria.

We compared the accuracy of ST segment/heart rate (ST/HR) index with that of standard criteria (> or = 0.1 mV horizontal/downsloping ST depression 80 ms after the J point) in 121 patients who had undergone angiography (49 with > or = 1 lesion with > or = 50% stenosis) and 50 clinically normal subjects. All exercise tests used the Cornell protocol and computer measurements of maximal ST depression 80 ms after the J point. Thresholds with equal specificity to standard criteria were determined for ST/HR index using each of the 2 normal groups (those who were normal by angiography and those who were clinically normal). In using only patients who underwent angiography, we found that the ST/HR index had a sensitivity that was not significantly greater than that of standard criteria (standard criteria 51%, ST/HR index 59%; p = 0.21). However, the receiver-operating characteristic curve area increased from 64 +/- 4 to 68 +/- 4 (p < 0.02). When clinically normal subjects were used instead of patients without angiographic disease, there was a clearly discernible improvement in sensitivity of ST/HR index over standard criteria (standard criteria 51%, ST/HR index 69%; p < 0.05). The associated curve areas were 69 +/- 4 and 79 +/- 3 (p < 0.001). Therefore, accuracy of the ST/HR index was marginally better than standard criteria only in patients who underwent angiography. When clinically normal subjects were used, the accuracy of the ST/HR index was definitely better than standard criteria. We conclude that the demonstration of improved accuracy of the ST/HR index depends on the population being tested.

Adult↗

Incremental evaluation of exercise capacity as an independent predictor of coronary artery disease presence and extent.

To determine the independent incremental value of exercise capacity (METS) concerning the presence and extent of coronary artery disease, we analyzed data from 800 patients with suspected coronary disease who underwent both exercise testing and coronary angiography. We performed logistic regression analysis of clinical and exercise test data with an incremental design to mimic the usual flow of data acquisition. Separate analyses were performed concerning coronary disease presence (> or = 1 vessel with a > or = 50% lesion) and extent (three-vessel/left main disease). Diagnostic accuracy was determined by calculating receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve areas. When considered alone, METS was a significant predictor of both presence and extent of disease. Multivariate analysis revealed that METS was an independent predictor of disease extent but not presence. However, comparison of ROC curve areas failed to show any loss of accuracy when METS was removed from the coronary disease extent analysis. Despite the strong univariate relationship between exercise capacity and coronary disease presence and extent and the independence of exercise capacity as a predictor of coronary disease extent, the lack of an additional incremental accuracy attributed to its consideration virtually cancels its value as a diagnostic variable for assessing both coronary disease presence and extent.

Adult↗

Accuracy of ST/heart rate index in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

The accuracy of ST/heart rate (ST HR) index was evaluated in patients presenting for exercise electrocardiography with suspected coronary disease. In all, 420 patients (235 men and 185 women) with normal electrocardiograms at rest underwent exercise testing, followed within 3 months by coronary angiography. The sensitivity and specificity for standard ST criteria (greater than or equal to 1 mm horizontal or downsloping depression) were 48% (78 of 162) and 81% (208 of 258), respectively. An ST HR-index threshold of 1.86 microV/beta/min had the exact same specificity with a sensitivity of 44% (71 of 162; p = not significant). Consideration of greater than or equal to 1.5 mm upsloping depression had no significant impact on the aforementioned results. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, sex, symptoms, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, qualitative ST slope, rate-pressure product, METs achieved and exercise angina were evaluated with and without ST HR index and ST depression. According to this analysis, age, sex, symptoms and ST slope were good predictors of presence or absence of disease. Neither ST HR index nor ST depression had significance in the multivariate analysis. However, when a separate analysis was performed in men and women, the 2 quantitative ST variables showed significance in men, but not in women. Comparisons of discriminative accuracy using receiver-operating characteristic curves demonstrated differences between men and women, but no difference between ST HR index and ST depression. Therefore, concerning questions of coronary disease diagnosis, consideration of ST HR index was not better than standard ST criteria, and added nothing to multivariate analysis of other available variables.

Adult↗

Comparison of logistic regression and Bayesian-based algorithms to estimate posttest probability in patients with suspected coronary artery disease undergoing exercise ECG.

Two multivariate methods, a logistic regression-derived algorithm and a Bayesian independence-assuming method (CADENZA), were compared concerning their abilities to estimate posttest probability of coronary disease in patients with suspected coronary disease. All patients underwent exercise testing within 3 months prior to coronary angiography. Coronary disease was defined as the presence of one or more vessels with greater than or equal to 50% luminal diameter narrowing. A group of 300 patients (disease prevalence = 37%) was used to derive the algorithm. Another group of 950 patients was used to validate the algorithm and compare it to CADENZA. Seven variables (age, sex, symptoms, diabetes, mm ST depression, ST slope, and peak heart rate) were used to generate posttest probabilities for each method. The receiver operating characteristic curve area for the logistic regression method (0.81 +/- 0.01) was significantly higher than CADENZA (0.75 +/- 0.01; p less than 0.05). There was, however, no difference in the calibration of the two methods. When given equivalent variable information, the logistic regression algorithm had better discrimination than CADENZA for estimating the probability of coronary disease following exercise electrocardiography.

Algorithms↗

The estimation of post-test probability of coronary disease following exercise testing using the sequential application of two Bayesian methods.

Recent studies have revealed that Bayesian methods to estimate post-test probability following exercise testing differ in their sensitivity and specificity across the range of post-test probability. To take advantage of the relative strengths of each method, we combined two of these methods into a single method (DUAL BAYES) and compared it with the two original methods in 436 patients who underwent stress testing followed within 2 months by coronary arteriography. All patients had post-test probabilities determined using CADENZA (better sensitivity). Those CADENZA-derived probabilities greater than or equal to 50% were substituted with post-test probabilities determined by Diamond and Forrester's original TABULAR method (better specificity). Mean post-test probabilities were as follows: TABULAR 34, CADENZA 48, DUAL BAYES 37 (actual incidence 38%). Comparison of sensitivity and specificity at every fifth percentile of post-test probability revealed that the sensitivity of DUAL BAYES was better than that of TABULAR and equal to that of CADENZA at thresholds less than or equal to 10 and that the specificity was better than that of CADENZA and equal to that of TABULAR at thresholds greater than or equal to 60. Therefore using both methods as indicated above was better than using either method alone.

Algorithms↗

Comparison of three Bayesian methods to estimate posttest probability in patients undergoing exercise stress testing.

To determine whether recent refinements in Bayesian methods have led to improved diagnostic ability, 3 methods using Bayes' theorem and the independence assumption for estimating posttest probability after exercise stress testing were compared. Each method differed in the number of variables considered in the posttest probability estimate (method A = 5, method B = 6 and method C = 15). Method C is better known as CADENZA. There were 436 patients (250 men and 186 women) who underwent stress testing (135 had concurrent thallium scintigraphy) followed within 2 months by coronary arteriography. Coronary artery disease ([CAD], at least 1 vessel with greater than or equal to 50% diameter narrowing) was seen in 169 (38%). Mean pretest probabilities using each method were not different. However, the mean posttest probabilities for CADENZA were significantly greater than those for method A or B (p less than 0.0001). Each decile of posttest probability was compared to the actual prevalence of CAD in that decile. At posttest probabilities less than or equal to 20%, there was underestimation of CAD. However, at posttest probabilities greater than or equal to 60%, there was overestimation of CAD by all methods, especially CADENZA. Comparison of sensitivity and specificity at every fifth percentile of posttest probability revealed that CADENZA was significantly more sensitive and less specific than methods A and B. Therefore, at lower probability thresholds, CADENZA was a better screening method. However, methods A or B still had merit as a means to confirm higher probabilities generated by CADENZA (especially greater than or equal to 60%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Algorithms↗