Presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in stroke patients may result in poor prognosis and functional outcome in rehabilitation. However, studies on diagnostic and functional evaluation of such patients are scarce. In this perspective, authors explored the usefulness of bicycle ergometer in CAD diagnosis of hemiparetic patients and its implication in their rehabilitation. Among 20 hemiparetic patients, 2 were found to have ST segment depression during bicycle ergometer stress test. The rate pressure products (RPP) measured during various rehabilitation activities did not exceed those obtained during the stress test in most subjects, disputing against common reluctance in active rehabilitation treatment of hemiparetic patients with CAD.
In conclusion, stress test with bicycle ergometer can be effectively used in selective group of hemiparetic patients with coronary artery disease for both diagnostic and functional purposes.
