Sustained isometric handgrip exercise caused a significantly higher increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in patients with heart disease compared to controls (9.7 vs 2.1; P<0.01).
Observational (n=28)
Does sustained isometric handgrip exercise distinguish normal from abnormal left ventricular performance in patients undergoing catheterization?
Sustained isometric handgrip exercise is a simple, safe, and effective stress test for distinguishing normal from abnormal left ventricular performance based on hemodynamic responses.
Absolute Event Rate: 9.7% vs 2.1%
p-value: p=<0.01
Sustained isometric handgrip exercise was studied in 28 patients, 19 with and nine without catheterization evidence of heart disease. Significant increases occurred in left ventricular systolic and left ventricular end-diastolic pressures (LVEDP), heart rate, cardiac output, and cardiac index, with decreases in stroke volume and stroke index. When control and abnormal groups were compared, no differences could be demonstrated in systolic pressure or heart rate increases. However, the LVEDP increase in the abnormal subjects (9.7 ± 1.7) was significantly ( P < 0.01) higher than in the controls (2.1 ± 0.7). In addition, cardiac index rose significantly ( P < 0.025) in the controls (0.8 ± 0.2), but not ( P < 0.1) in the abnormal subjects (0.2 ± 0.1). Conversely, there was a significant fall in stroke index in the abnormal ( P < 0.005) but not in the control ( P < 0.4) group. When work or stroke-work index-LVEDP relations were compared, the controls uniformly exhibited steep curves, whereas abnormal patients demonstrated curves that were either less steep or flat. ΔWork/ΔLVEDP ratio was See Equation in PDF File1.0 in the controls, with one exception, and See Equation in PDF File0.77 in the abnormal subjects, with one exception. The test was performed in less than 4 min and no adverse effects were observed. By virtue of its ease, simplicity, safety, and ability to distinguish normal and abnormal ventricular performance, sustained handgrip is a valuable new stress test.
Helfant et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Heart disease (n=28). Sustained isometric handgrip exercise vs. Patients without heart disease (controls) was evaluated on Increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (p=<0.01). Sustained isometric handgrip exercise caused a significantly higher increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in patients with heart disease compared to controls (9.7 vs 2.1; P<0.01).