OBJETIVO: Descrever as variáveis clínicas e hemodinâmicas obtidas pelo teste ergométrico em idosos >75 anos. MÉTODOS: Estudados 100 indivíduos de 75-94 anos (80±4 anos), submetidos a teste ergométrico sintoma limitante, sendo 65% assintomáticos, 25% com dor torácica não anginosa e 10% com precordialgia típica, 32% eram homens, 50% hipertensos, 36% dislipidêmicos, 14% diabéticos e 9% com doença arterial coronariana prévia. O protocolo utilizado foi uma adaptação para rampa, do protocolo de Bruce, acrescido de 1min de aquecimento com velocidade de 1,0mph sem inclinação. RESULTADOS: Não houve complicações e 92% dos testes foram eficazes. Os pacientes atingiram em média 95% da freqüência cardíaca máxima prevista. A duração do exame e os equivalentes metabólicos alcançados foram, em média, respectivamente: 6,8 ±2min e 6,6 ±2,3 METs. Apresentaram resposta inotrópica hiperreativa 11 dos pacientes e observadas arritmias ventriculares e supraventriculares não complexas em 37% da amostra. Foram positivos para isquemia miocárdica 18% dos testes. Os pacientes com precordialgia típica apresentaram mais respostas isquêmicas do que os com dor torácica não anginosa e assintomáticos: 70% vs 16% (p<0,001) e 70% vs 10% (p<0,01), respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: O teste ergométrico sintoma limitante é útil, seguro e eficaz para analisar as respostas isquêmicas e hemodinâmicas, mesmo no indivíduo muito idoso.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and hemodynamic variables obtained with exercise testing in elderly patients SW >75 years. METHODS: This study assessed 100 patients aged 75-94 years (80±4 years) undergoing symptom-limited exercise testing, 65% of whom were asymptomatic, 25% had nonanginal chest pain, and 10% had typical precordialgia. Of the 100 patients, 32% were males, 50% were hypertensive, 36% were dyslipidemic, 14% were diabetic, and 9% had had previous coronary artery disease. A ramp-adaptation of the Bruce protocol (ramped Bruce protocol) was used, preceded by a 1-minute warm-up with no treadmill incline and a velocity of 1.0 mph. RESULTS: No complications were observed, and 92% of the tests were efficient. On average, the patients reached 95% of the maximum heart rate predicted. The mean duration of the test and the mean metabolic equivalent reached were, respectively, 6.8 ±2 minutes and 6.6 ±2.3 METs. Eleven patients had a hyperreactive inotropic response, and 37% of the sample had noncomplex ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. Eighteen percent of the tests were positive for myocardial ischemia. The patients with typical precordialgia had more ischemic responses than did those with nonanginal chest pain or those who were asymptomatic: 70% vs 16% (P<0.001) and 70% vs 10% (P<0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: The symptom-limited exercise test is useful, safe, and efficient for analyzing ischemic and hemodynamic responses, even in very elderly individuals.