Randomized Investigation of Chest Pain Diagnostic Strategies

Overview

Clinical decision units (CDUs) improve resource utilization and are a recommended care option by the American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association, but are underutilized in non-low risk chest pain patients due to weaknesses of traditional cardiac testing. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is sensitive and specific for ischemia, can simultaneously assess cardiac function and myocardial perfusion, and could revolutionize the diagnostic process for intermediate risk patients with chest pain. The primary objective of this trial is to measure the efficiency and safety of a combined CDU-CMR care pathway compared to inpatient care among patients with non-low risk acute chest pain.

Despite spending $12 billion annually on the emergency evaluation of chest pain in the US, only 15% of admitted patients have a cardiac cause of their presenting symptoms. Clinical decision units (CDUs) improve resource utilization and are a recommended care option by the American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association, but are underutilized in non-low risk chest pain patients due to weaknesses of traditional cardiac testing. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is sensitive and specific for ischemia, can simultaneously assess cardiac function and myocardial perfusion, and could revolutionize the diagnostic process for intermediate risk patients with chest pain. The superior accuracy of CMR could decrease testing and invasive procedures. The high sensitivity for ongoing ischemia could allow imaging in parallel with cardiac markers. As a result, CMR could improve the care of emergency department (ED) patients with intermediate risk chest pain. However, the efficiency and safety of CMR has not been extensively tested in the CDU setting. Primary Hypothesis: A CDU-CMR strategy will reduce the occurrence of the composite of revascularization, re-hospitalization, and recurrent cardiac testing at 90 days when compared to an inpatient care strategy. Methods: Participants (n=146) at intermediate risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) will be recruited into a clinical trial from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (WFUBMC) ED. Participants will be equally randomized to CDU-CMR or inpatient care. CDU-CMR participants will undergo resting and stress CMR imaging in parallel with serial cardiac markers. Inpatient care participants will undergo serial cardiac markers followed by existing cardiac testing as determined by their care providers. The primary outcome is the composite of 90 day revascularization, re-hospitalization, and recurrent cardiac testing. The secondary outcome is index hospitalization length of stay. Safety events include ACS after discharge, mortality, and stress testing-related adverse events.