{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Hyperventilation testing in the diagnosis of vasospastic angina: A clinical review and meta-analysis.
{Author}: Boivin-Proulx LA;Marquis-Gravel G;Rousseau-Saine N;Harel F;Jolicoeur EM;Pelletier-Galarneau M;
{Journal}: Eur J Clin Invest
{Volume}: 54
{Issue}: 6
{Year}: 2024 Jun 13
{Factor}: 5.722
{DOI}: 10.1111/eci.14178
{Abstract}: BACKGROUND: Given the limited access to invasive vasospastic reactivity testing in Western Countries, there is a need to further develop alternative non-invasive diagnostic methods for vasospastic angina (VSA). Hyperventilation testing (HVT) is defined as a class IIa recommendation to diagnose VSA by the Japanese Society of Cardiology.
METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis reported according to the PRISMA statement, we review the mechanisms, methods, modalities and diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive HVT for the diagnostic of VSA.
RESULTS: A total of 106 articles published between 1980 and 2022 about VSA and HVT were included in the systematic review, among which 16 were included in the meta-analysis for diagnostic accuracy. Twelve electrocardiogram-HVT studies including 804 patients showed a pooled sensitivity of 54% (95% confidence intervals [CI]; 30%-76%) and a pooled specificity of 99% (95% CI; 88%-100%). Four transthoracic echocardiography-HVT studies including 197 patients revealed a pooled sensitivity of 90% (95% CI; 82%-94%) and a pooled specificity of 98% (95% CI; 86%-100%). Six myocardial perfusion imaging-HVT studies including 112 patients yielded a pooled sensitivity of 95% (95% CI; 63%-100%) and a pooled specificity of 78% (95% CI; 19%-98%). Non-invasive HVT resulted in a low rate of adverse events, ventricular arrhythmias being the most frequently reported, and were resolved with the administration of nitroglycerin.
CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive HVT offers a safe alternative with high diagnostic accuracy to diagnose VSA in patients with otherwise undiagnosed causes of chest pain.