What is the Yield of Testing for Coronary Artery Disease after an Emergency Department Attendance with Chest Pain?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend testing for coronary artery disease (CAD) for emergency department (ED) patients with a negative workup for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The rationale is that, although myocardial infarction has been ruled out, the presentation could still indicate cardiac ischaemia. Evidence supporting this recommendation is weak. METHODS: Planned sub-study of prospective cohort study of ED chest pain patients with a negative ACS workup who were discharged. Primary outcome of interest was occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 30 days. Secondary outcomes were rate of combined MACE or revascularisation and rates and outcome of referral for CAD testing. Ana..