Copyright © 1996 by the European Society of Cardiology.
© 1996 The European Society of Cardiology
Variation in the use of coronary angiography in patients with unstable angina is related to differences in patient population and availability of angiography facilities, without affecting prognosis
,
*Thoraxcenter, Erasmus University Rotterdam The Netherlands
Center for Clinical Decision Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam The Netherlands
Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
•Sint Fanciscus Gasthuis Rotterdam The Netherlands
Received 19 February 1996; accepted 26 February 1996.
Correspondence: A. J. M. van Miltenburg-van Zijl, MD. PhD.do M. L. Simoons. Thoraxcenter Bd434. University Hospital Rotterdam Dijkzigt. Dr. Molewaterplein 40, P.O. Box 1738. 3000 Dr Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Examination of the difference in management strategies with respect to coronary angiography in patients with unstable angina pectoris, and the consequences of this difference on prognosis.
DESIGN: Prospective registration of consecutive patients admitted to two different hospitals.
SETTING: University and a large community hospital in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
SUBJECTS: Patients under 80 years, without recent (<4 weeks) infarction or recent (<6 months) coronary revascularization procedure, admitted for chest pain suspected to indicate unstable angina pectoris.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Decision to initiate coronary angiography or to continue on medical treatment. At 6 months the occurrence of death and myocardial infarction was measured.
RESULTS: Clinical variables associated with the decision to initiate angiography were young age, male gender, progression of angina, multiple pain episodes and use of ß-blocker or calcium antagonists before admission, abnormal ST-T segment on baseline ECG, recurrent pain in hospital, and ECG changes during pain. These associations did not differ between hospitals. Nevertheless, angiography was performed more often in the presence of angiography facilities (university hospital), independent of the variable case-mix. Survival and infarct-free survival were similar in both hospitals, 96% and 90% respectively.
CONCLUSION: The difference in angiography rate for unstable angina can be explained in part by differences in patient population and hospital facilities, but no difference was observed in physicians' assessment of patient characteristics. The observed practice variation did not affect prognosis.
Key Words: Unstable angina • coronary angiography • practice variation
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  N Nante, G Messina, M Cecchini, O Bertetto, F Moirano, and M McKee Sex differences in use of interventional cardiology persist after risk adjustment J Epidemiol Community Health, March 1, 2009; 63(3): 203 - 208. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E.R. Ferreiros, R. Kevorkian, J.J. Fuselli, J. Guetta, C.P. Boissonnet, D. di Toro, R. Cragnolino, O. Masoli, A. Cagide, and J. Krauss First national survey on management strategies in non ST-elevation acute ischaemic syndromes in Argentina. Results of the STRATEG-SIA study Eur. Heart J., July 1, 2002; 23(13): 1021 - 1029. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Ronner, E. Boersma, K.M. Akkerhuis, R.A. Harrington, A.M. Lincoff, J.W. Deckers, K. Karsch, N.S. Kleiman, A. Vahanian, E.J. Topol, et al. Patients with acute coronary syndromes without persistent ST elevation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention benefit most from early intervention with protection by a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker Eur. Heart J., February 1, 2002; 23(3): 239 - 246. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Lupon, V. Valle, J. Marrugat, R. Elosua, L. Seres, M. Pavesi, R. Freixa, G. Sanz, R. Masia, L. Molina, et al. Six-month outcome in unstable angina patients without previous myocardial infarction according to the use of tertiary cardiologic resources J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., December 1, 1999; 34(7): 1947 - 1953. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. J.M. Van Miltenburg-Van Zijl, P. M.M. Bossuyt, R. W. Nette, M. L. Simoons, and T. R. Taylor Cardiologists' Use of Clinical Information for Management Decisions for Patients with Unstable Angina:: A Policy Analysis Med Decis Making, July 1, 1997; 17(3): 292 - 297. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|