Provider-directed imaging stress testing reduces health care expenditures in lower-risk chest pain patients presenting to the emergency department.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Among intermediate- to high-risk patients with chest pain, we have shown that a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) stress test strategy implemented in an observation unit (OU) reduces 1-year health care costs compared with inpatient care. In this study, we compare 2 OU strategies to determine among lower-risk patients if a mandatory CMR stress test strategy was more effective than a physicians' ability to select a stress test modality.

Methods and results

On emergency department arrival and referral to the OU for management of low- to intermediate-risk chest pain, 120 individuals were randomly assigned to receive (1) a CMR stress imaging test (n=60) or (2) a provider-selected stress test (n=60: stress echo [62%], CMR [32%], cardiac catheterization [3%], nuclear [2%]

SUBMITTER: Miller CD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3272279 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature