Chest Pain Evaluation: Diagnostic Testing

Benjamin J W Chow1,2, Paul Galiwango3, Anthony Poulin4

  • 1Department of Medicine (Cardiology), University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

CJC Open
|January 11, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing chest pain (CP) is challenging. This review offers a tailored algorithm to accurately diagnose coronary artery disease, improving patient prognosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

  • Chest pain (CP) is a frequent symptom with potential for misdiagnosis.
  • Cardiac etiologies of CP carry significant morbidity and mortality risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review diagnostic options for coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To present a decision algorithm for CAD testing.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of diagnostic modalities for CAD.
  • Development of a collaborative clinical decision algorithm.

Main Results:

  • An effective test selection algorithm aids accurate CAD diagnosis and prognosis.
  • The developed algorithm is designed for broad clinical adoption.

Conclusions:

  • Tailored CAD testing algorithms improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
  • The proposed algorithm facilitates evidence-based, cost-effective CAD management.

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