[New aspects in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease in females].

To investigate still uncertain aspects of the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in women, between 1969 and 1984, repeated exercise studies were performed in 706 asymptomatic women (between the ages of 17 and 63 years). On observation of pathologic ST-segment depression of more than 0.1 mV, the exercise study was repeated after administration of 0.8 mg nitroglycerin. Pathologic ST-segment depression was seen in 310 women (44%). In 217 patients (31%), nitroglycerin had no effect (NTG negative); in 93 women (13%), there was normalization of the ST-segment changes (NTG positive). Additionally, in selected subgroups of patients, pulmonary artery pressure was measured at rest and during exercise and ECG mapping performed (n = 114); radionuclide ventriculograms (n = 64) and 201-thallium scintigrams (n = 99) were obtained and coronary angiography (n = 85) was performed. In the NTG-negative women, ejection fraction, myocardial perfusion and coronary arteries were normal. NTG-positive women had lower mean ejection fractions but still within normal limits and indications of impaired myocardial perfusion. High-grade coronary stenoses were found in 25%. No patient with pathologic ST-segment depression had mitral valve prolapse. NTG-positive women had significantly more risk factors than NTG-negative women. In the former group, pulmonary artery pressure measurements showed pathologic exercise hemodynamics, only in 25% of whom IHD with significant stenosis was found to be the cause. For this condition, differential diagnostic considerations include cardiomyopathy or small vessel disease.