Introduction:
It is uncertain whether a diagnostic strategy supplemented by early coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is superior to contemporary standard optimal care (SOC) encompassing high sensitivity troponins for patients suspected of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department.
Hypothesis:
To assess whether a diagnostic strategysupplemented by early CCTA improves clinical effectiveness compared to contemporary SOC.
Methods:
In a prospective, open-label, multicentre, randomized trial, we enrolled patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of an ACSat the emergency department (ED) of five community and two university hospitals in the Netherlands. Exclusion criteria included the need for urgent cardiac catheterization, history of ACS or coronary revascularisation. The primary endpoint was the number of patients identified with significant coronary artery disease requiring revascularization within 30 days.
Results:
The study population consisted of 500 patients of whom 236 (47%) were women (mean age 54±10 years). There was no difference in the primary endpoint (22 [9%] patients underwent coronary revascularizationwithin 30 days in the CCTA group and 17 [7%] in the SOC group [p= 0·40]). Discharge from ED was not more frequent after CCTA (65% versus 59%, p= 0·16) and length of stay was similar(6·3 hours in both groups, p= 0·80). Direct medical costs were lower in the CCTA group (є337 versus є511, p<0·01). Less outpatient testing was seen with CCTA after index ED visit (10 [4%] versus 26 [10%], p<0·01). There was no difference in incidence of undetected ACS.
Conclusions:
A diagnostic strategy supplemented by early CCTAis safe, less expensive and averts outpatient testing. However, in the era of high-sensitivity troponins, CCTA does not identify more patients with significant CAD requiring coronary revascularization, nor does CCTAshorten hospital stay or allow for more direct discharge from the ED.
Coronary CT Angiography in Emergency Department: Can We Use It?
