Aortic stenosis test for open heart surgery is inaccurate

[Image from the American Heart Association]

An approved exercise test that determines whether people with aortic stenosis need open heart surgery has only 60% accuracy, according to a new study by the University of Leicester.

Cycling on a stationary bike typically determines whether a person needs surgery. If the patient becomes breathless while cycling, it is typically recommended to have valve replacement therapy.

Gerry McCann, professor of cardiac imaging and honorary consultant cardiologist at the University of Leicester Department of Cardiovascular Science, conducted the research and found that the exercise test is “highly inaccurate” and results in thousands of patients having to undergo surgery when it isn’t needed and costs nearly £75M, according to a news release.

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