Safety and efficacy of digital rectal examination in patients with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: Digital rectal examination (DRE) is often ignored or deferred in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of DRE in patients with AMI. METHODS: This was a prospective, comparative, stratified study in an inner- city teaching hospital. A total of 480 patients from intensive care and tel emetry units were stratified into three groups. Group I included 160 patien ts with AMI in whom a DRE was performed and electrocardiographic (EKG) reco rdings were obtained. Group II included 155 patients with AMI in whom DRE w as not done, but EKG recordings were made. Group III consisted of 165 patie nts without AMI in whom DRE was performed and EKG recordings were obtained. Sustained arrhythmias and vital signs were measured. RESULTS: None of the patients developed sustained arrhythmias and there was no change in vital signs. DRE resulted in the detection of several clinica lly significant findings. CONCLUSION: DRE was found to be safe in our stable patients with AMI. (Am J Gastroenterol 2000;95:1463-1465. (C) 2000 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology ).