Abstract

Introduction: In patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) the comparative value of non invasive diagnostic imaging modalities or strategies is not yet defined. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that a comparative cost-effectiveness (CE) analysis of different non-invasive imaging strategies in a European population of patients with stable angina could identify the best approach for the diagnosis of significant CAD. Methods: In 475 pts (291 males, 60±9 yrs) with stable angina enrolled in the EVINCI multicenter study, CT coronary angiography (CTCA) and stress imaging were performed before invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Significant CAD was defined as >50% stenosis in the left main or >70% stenosis in a major coronary vessel or 30-70% stenosis with fractional flow reserve ≤0.8. Non-invasive imaging strategies included CTCA or stress imaging (ECHO, CMR, SPECT or PET) alone or in combination. Combinations were positive if both CTCA and the stress test were positive. CE analysis was performed using per patient data. Effectiveness was defined as percentage of correct diagnosis. Costs were calculated by country-specific reimbursements for each test considered plus ICA costs when non invasive tests were positive. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were obtained by regression analysis and using a propensity-score adjustment. Results: Significant CAD was diagnosed at ICA in 140 pts (29%). CTCA had the highest diagnostic performance among single imaging modalities and CTCA-PET among combinations (Table). At CE analysis, ECHO approach was the least costly but also the least effective, while CTCA alone or in combination with PET had increasingly higher effectiveness for a willingness to pay (WTP) exceeding 2,000 Euro and 5,000 Euro, respectively (Table). Conclusion: Stress ECHO is a cost-effective approach to diagnose stable CAD when the WTP is low. CTCA alone or combined with stress PET allows a more effective diagnostic workflow for higher WTP.

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