Multislice Coronary CT in Low-Risk Patients with Chest Pain

Although only a minority of low-risk chest pain patients have active ischemia, the potential risks for undiagnosed acute coronary artery syndrome favor thorough evaluation. However, serial electrocardiograms and biomarker assays followed by stress testing are time-consuming. The high negative predictive value and time efficiency of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) make it an attractive option. In a randomized unblinded study, researchers compared the diagnostic safety, efficacy, and costs associated with MSCT angiography and standard care (biomarkers, ECG, and rest/stress testing) in 203 patients who presented to a single emergency department with low-risk, acute-onset chest pain.

Neither protocol was associated with test complications …