Electrocardiographic effects of isoprenaline in normal subjects and patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

The intravenous infusion of isoprenaline in normal subjects causes no significant electrocardiographic abnormalities. This is in sharp contrast to the remarkably ischaemnic ST-T changes seen after infusing isoprenaline in patients with coronary artery disease. Limited experience thus far has been attended by no untoward reactions. In view of the simplicity and great sensitivity, we conclude that the isoprenaline infusion test is thus far a satisfactory method for differentiating normal subjects from coronary disease patients. It must be emphasized, however, that this is a preliminary report and further study of isoprenaline in patients with coronary disease is mandatory before advocating the routine employment of its use as a diagnostic tool.