Early exercise testing recommended after bypass

Contrary to recommendations of current guidelines, symptom-free patients should undergo exercise testing within six years of bypasses, say Cleveland Clinic physicians.1 And the earlier, the better. The tests can help identify those at risk for heart attack and premature death. "Some will debate the cost of routine exercise testing for such a large number of symptom-free patients," wrote Michael Lauer, MD, principal investigator. "However, once symptoms arise, much more expensive diagnostic procedures and therapies are often required." Identifying high-risk patients early may be the cost-effective way to go, he said.

^Reference

1. Lauer MS, et al. Prediction of death and myocardial infarction by screening with exercise-thallium testing after CABG. Lancet 1998;351.