Isometric sustained handgrip exercise induced ventricular arrhythmias in 38% of patients with heart disease, compared to 22% during dynamic graded bicycle exercise.
Observational (n=45)
Does isometric sustained handgrip exercise induce more arrhythmias than dynamic graded bicycle exercise in patients with heart disease?
Isometric exercise testing is more effective than dynamic exercise testing for unmasking latent ventricular arrhythmias in patients with heart disease.
Absolute Event Rate: 38% vs 22%
The incidence of arrhythmias during isometric sustained handgrip exercise and during dynamic graded bicycle exercise was compared in a group of 45 patients with various forms of heart disease on no antiarrhythmic therapy. Atrial arrhythmias were equally common during handgrip and bicycle exercise but ventricular arrhythmias were more frequent during handgrip exercise. Of the 45 patients, 38 per cent developed ventricular arrhythmias during isometric exercise, with ventricular tachycardia occurring in 15 per cent. During dynamic exercise 22 per cent of the 45 patients developed ventricular arrhythmias, with ventricular tachycardia occurring in 2 per cent. Patients with coronary artery disease and/or depressed left ventricular function developed twice the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias with isometric than with dynamic exercise. Thus, isometric exercise testing is of more value than dynamic exercise testing in unmasking latent ventricular arrhythmias in patients with heart disease.
Atkins et al. (Sat,) conducted a observational in Heart disease (n=45). Isometric sustained handgrip exercise vs. Dynamic graded bicycle exercise was evaluated on Incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. Isometric sustained handgrip exercise induced ventricular arrhythmias in 38% of patients with heart disease, compared to 22% during dynamic graded bicycle exercise.