Feasibility evaluation of exercise stress echocardiography in patients over 75 years of age

Abstract

The primary objective of this work was to analyze and report that sufficient ergometer stress test with echocardiography is safe and feasible in patients ≥ 75 years of age. In this study, it was determined that only 55% of the patients evaluated reached 85% of the ergometer test. Interestingly, it was observed that patients with score of 0 of the Red Cross psychic impairment index (RCPI) have a greater tendency to reach 80% and 85% of the expected heart rate in the ergometry. Furthermore, it was established that pathologies such as hip and knee osteoarthritis are significantly associated with not reaching 85% of the heart rate. Finally, it was observed that age is not a predictor for achieving heart rate in ergometry. The data obtained allow us to conclude that exercise stress echocardiography is a safe and feasible auxiliary method for patients ≥ 75 years of age on a supine bicycle. It is evident that there are tools, such as the RCPI and clinical history of hip and knee osteoarthritis, that are good predictors of the probability of carrying out an ergometry.