Study to Evaluate Current Trends in Appropriate Usage of Tread Mill Exercise Testing

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Diagnostic Testing

Background:

• Non-invasive tests are crucial for diagnosing and managing Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).
• Millions of these tests are performed globally for various clinical indications.
• Previous research indicates a significant issue with the inappropriate utilization of these diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the appropriate utilization of the treadmill exercise test (TMT).
• Identify factors contributing to the overuse of TMTs in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 600 Treadmill Tests (TMTs) conducted between November 2013 and February 2016.
• Evaluation of demographic, clinical, and risk factors, along with test indications.
• Data collected from healthcare facilities in Raichur, Karnataka, India.

Main Results:

• Almost half of the TMTs (49.66%) were deemed inappropriate.
• Predictors of inappropriate TMT use included younger age, female sex, pre-operative evaluations, master health check-ups, and insurance-related testing (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• Treadmill exercise testing is susceptible to overuse due to its accessibility and affordability.
• Inappropriate TMT utilization can lead to unnecessary healthcare expenditures.
• Optimizing TMT use is essential for efficient healthcare resource allocation.