Background: We investigated the relationship between positive exercise stress test (EST) and transmitral E-wave deceleration time in female patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function and diastolic dysfunction, and without coronary artery disease.

Methods: The study included 20 patients with a positive EST and normal coronary angiography and 12 patients with a negative EST. The two groups were compared with respect to the transmitral E-wave deceleration time. Both groups had similar characteristics with respect to age (mean age 53±6 years), hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and smoking.

Results: Isovolumic relaxation time did not differ significantly between the two groups. The average E-wave deceleration time was significantly prolonged in patients having ST-segment depression (250±41 msec vs 194±37 msec; p=0.001). Although patients with hypertension did not differ in this respect (p>0.05), the presence of ST-segment depression was associated with a significantly prolonged E-wave deceleration time in patients without hypertension (262±50 msec vs 178±24 msec; p=0.03).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, apart from coronary artery disease, prolonged transmitral E-wave deceleration time may be another cause of positive EST in women without coronary artery disease.

Keywords : Echocardiography; electrocardiography; exercise test; hypertension/physiopathology; sex factors; ventricular dysfunction, left/physiopathology