[Assessment of early myocardial ischemic areas in elderly people with anxiety disorders based on short SATRO-ECG recordings: a pilot study].

Abstract

Background: Identification of stable ischemic heart disease (IHD) in older people may be problematic due to the high incidence of atypical symptoms and problematic interpretation of additional tests. Diagnostic difficulties are also caused by multimorbidities, including anxiety disorders. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of anxiety reactions on the incidence of IHD in elderly people and early identification of local ischemic changes using a non-standard method that employs a computer program to analyze a traditional electrocardiogram (SATRO-ECG).

Material and methods: The study group I comprised 50 subjects aged mean ± standard deviation (M±SD) 63.5±2.29 years, presenting generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), and 50 healthy volunteers aged M±SD 62.94±2.3 years, constituting a reference group II. In all study subjects SATRO-ECG, based on the single fibres heart electric activity model was used to evaluate the electrocardiograms. Moreover, all persons, after medical history taking, were subjected to physical examination.

Results: Ischemic electrical heart activity occurred significantly more frequently in group I than group II (84% vs. 20%, p < 0.001). In group I, pathological values of quantitative parameters instantaneous stimulation (V_p) and instantaneous potential (V_ch) (<40%) were recorded in relation to the anterior wall of the left ventricle. As to the remaining walls, all parameters of group I reached a borderline value of 42-48%. In group I, comparing to group II, the value of the total electrical activity (całkowita aktywność elektryczna - CAŁ) (CAŁ I:II 43±14% vs. 70±12%) was also significantly lower (p < 0.001), with a significantly higher (p < 0.001) number of signs (-) on the ellipse. It should be noted that the analysis of traditional ECG recordings did not reveal any repolarization disorders.

Conclusions: A significant impact of anxiety on the incidence of stable IHD in patients with GAD was noted. The analysis of SATRO-ECG measurements increases a diagnostic accuracy in detecting myocardial ischemic changes that are not possible to assess in the traditional way, and therefore may enable stratification of IHD, while increasing the usefulness of the standard ECG. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2026;77(4).