The relationship between gender and clinical management after exercise stress testing
Stacie L Daugherty1, Pamela N Peterson, David J Magid
1Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. stacie.daugherty@uchsc.edu
American Heart Journal
|July 29, 2008
Summary
Gender is not associated with differences in diagnostic testing after exercise treadmill testing (ETT). While women underwent less angiography, overall adverse events were similar, suggesting reevaluation of gender disparities in cardiac care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Management
- Gender Disparities in Healthcare
Background:
- Ongoing debate exists regarding gender-based differences in clinical management following exercise treadmill testing (ETT).
- Understanding these potential disparities is crucial for equitable patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender differences in diagnostic testing and clinical management after exercise treadmill testing (ETT).
- To assess whether women receive different diagnostic workups or interventions compared to men post-ETT.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 7,506 patients (49.8% women) without prior coronary heart disease undergoing ETT was studied.
- The relationship between gender and subsequent diagnostic testing (coronary angiography, stress testing) within 6 months was analyzed.
- Multivariable analyses adjusted for demographic, clinical, and ETT characteristics, with stratification by Duke Treadmill Scores.
Main Results:
- Overall, gender was not associated with subsequent diagnostic testing after accounting for clinical and ETT parameters.
- Women were less likely to undergo coronary angiography but showed a trend toward more stress testing.
- Higher-risk women (high-to-intermediate Duke Treadmill Score) received less subsequent testing compared to men.
Conclusions:
- Women and men had similar rates of overall diagnostic testing after ETT.
- Despite lower angiography rates in women, adverse events were not higher, indicating similar outcomes.
- Findings suggest a need to reevaluate assumptions about gender disparities in post-ETT clinical management.
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Definition
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Purposes
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Definition
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Purposes
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