Review Article: Changes in R Wave during Exercise: Correlation with Left Ventricular Function and Volumes

SUMMARY There are several factors that may affect the R wave amplitude during exercise, such as the changes in left ventricular function and volumes and changes in electrical axis. The variability of these changes during exercise in patients with coronary artery disease and in normal subjects may explain the conflicting reports concerning the clinical usefulness of R wave changes during exercise in detecting coronary artery disease. The relationship between R wave amplitude and left ventricular function has been the subject of controversy in recent years. The changes in R during exercise have been of considerable wave interest as a- diagnostic tool in tlle evaluation of patients with coronary disease. The results, however, have ibeen inconclusive. Furthermore, the correlation lbetween changes in R wave during exercise and changes in left ventricular volumes has not been well documented in human subjects. The purpose of this review, therefore, is to examine the usefulness of the changes in R wave amplitude during exercise in patients with and without coronary artery disease.