Imaging in Patients with Stable Chest Pain: What's the Best Strategy?

Many options exist for evaluating patients with stable chest pain. In this analysis, researchers used a simulation model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different diagnostic strategies, including coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), cardiac stress imaging (i.e., cardiac stress magnetic resonance imaging, stress single-photon emission CT, and stress echocardiography), and catheter-based coronary angiography, relative to no imaging (baseline model). Results of initial testing were used to determine subsequent evaluation and treatment. The target population consisted of 60-year-old patients with stable chest pain and 30% pre-imaging probability of coronary artery disease (i.e., ≥50% stenosis).

The strategy that maximized quali…