Diagnostic Imaging Strategies for Patients With Stable Chest Pain and Intermediate Risk of Coronary Artery Disease - DISCHARGE

Contribution To Literature:

The DISCHARGE trial showed that CT was similar to invasive coronary angiography at preventing major adverse cardiovascular events among patients with stable chest pain.

Description:

The goal of the trial was to evaluate computed tomography (CT) compared with invasive coronary angiography among patients with stable chest pain and intermediate pretest probability of obstructive coronary artery disease.

Study Design

  • Randomization
  • Parallel

Patients with stable chest pain were randomized to CT (n = 1,808) vs. invasive coronary angiography (n = 1,753).

  • Total number of enrollees: 3,561
  • Duration of follow-up: 3.5 years
  • Median patient age: 61 years
  • Percentage female: 56%
  • Percentage with diabetes: 16%

Inclusion criteria:

  • At least 30 years of age
  • Stable chest pain
  • Intermediate pretest probability of obstructive coronary artery disease

Exclusion criteria:

  • Receipt of hemodialysis
  • Absence of sinus rhythm

Principal Findings:

The primary outcome of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke occurred in 2.1% of the CT group compared with 3.0% of the invasive coronary angiography group (p = 0.1).

Secondary outcomes:

  • Major procedure-related complications: 0.5% of the CT group vs. 1.9% of the invasive coronary angiography group
  • Angina during the final 4 weeks of follow-up: 8.8% of the CT group vs. 7.5% of the invasive coronary angiography group

Interpretation:

Among patients with stable chest pain and intermediate risk of obstructive coronary artery disease, CT was similar to invasive coronary angiography at preventing major adverse cardiovascular events. The frequency of major procedure-related complications was lower in the CT group.

References:

The DISCHARGE Trial Group. CT or Invasive Coronary Angiography in Stable Chest Pain. N Engl J Med 2022;Mar 4:[Epub ahead of print].

Editorial: Loscalzo J. Evaluating Stable Chest Pain — An Evolving Approach. N Engl J Med 2022;Mar 4:[Epub ahead of print].

Clinical Topics: Acute Coronary Syndromes, Invasive Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention, Noninvasive Imaging, Prevention, Atherosclerotic Disease (CAD/PAD), Interventions and ACS, Interventions and Coronary Artery Disease, Interventions and Imaging, Angiography, Computed Tomography, Nuclear Imaging

Keywords: Acute Coronary Syndrome, Chest Pain, Coronary Angiography, Coronary Artery Disease, Diagnostic Imaging, Myocardial Infarction, Risk, Secondary Prevention, Stroke, Tomography, X-Ray Computed


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