The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of exercise-
induced normalization of inverted T wave in patients with old myocardial infarction (MI).
The subjects of the present study were eighteen patients with old anterior MI. The
treadmill exercise test (TMT) was performed 8±1 months after MI onset. Based on the
results of the TMT, these patients were divided into two groups: those who showed
normalization of inverted T wave during exercise (Group Ⅰ), and those who did not show
normalization of inverted T wave during exercise (Group Ⅱ). Between the two groups, the
following elements were compared : patient characteristics (age, gender, max CK, coronary
risk factor) ; left ventricular abnormal contraction segment (ACS) ; and coronary flow
reserve (CFR), which represent coronary microvascular circulation as measured by the
Doppler guide wire. There were no differences between the two groups in patient character-
istics except the max CK. In Group Ⅰ, the max CK was higher (p<0.05), the ACS was
higher (p<0.01), and the CFR was lower (p<0.05), as compared with those of Group Ⅱ.
According to these results, the area of MI was more extensive and the disturbance of
coronary microcirculation was more remarkable in Group Ⅰ in comparison with Group Ⅱ.
It is suggested that the exercise-induced normalization of inverted T wave can reflect the
extent of MI and the disturbance of coronary microvascular circulation