Coronary artery disease affects 18 million adults in the United States each year. In patients with stable chest pain, a standard exercise treadmill or nuclear medicine stress test have traditionally been the mainstay of diagnostic testing. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that use of coronary computed tomography angiography for patients with stable chest pain can improves outcomes without an increase in interventional procedures, through improved medical management and optimized percutaneous coronary interventions. Cardiac events and emergency department visits are decreased. Additionally, coronary CTA use can decrease cost of care through reductions in downstream testing and hospital admissions.

Downloadable chart.

Reference:

England R, Sheikhbahaei S, Solomon A, Zadeh A, Solnes L, Bronner J, Johnson PT, When more is better:  Underused advanced imaging exams that can improve outcomes and reduce cost of care. American Journal of Medicine in press.

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