The authors assessed in a group of 486 asymptomatic middle-aged men (50-60 years) the prevalence of silent myocardial ischaemia. For screening they used the exercise test on a bicycle ergometer and in men with a positive test the presence of silent ischaemia was confirmed by perfusion scintigraphy with thallium-201 or by. The prevalence of silent ischaemia was compared with the incidence of angina angiography, myocardial infarction and sudden deaths in a similar group of 1419 men followed up for 10 years in the same department. In patients with a confirmed diagnosis of silent ischaemia the prognosis was monitored, as well as possible clinical manifestations of IHD, in the course of 4-7 years of the investigation. The presence of silent ischaemia was confirmed in 32 men, i.e. 6.6%. As compared with other forms of IHD, silent ischaemia was detected almost equally frequently as myocardial infarction and as compared with angina pectoris it was observed twice as frequently. In the course of the investigation period two patients were subjected to a revascularization (CABC or PTCA). In the remaining group of 30 patients who underwent conservative treatment two patients died (sudden deaths), seven developed angina and five myocardial infarctions (incl. one clinically silent).

Keywords: Adult; Exercise Test; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Ischemia /diagnosis/; Prevalence; Prognosis