Evaluation of Suspected Ischemic Heart Disease in Symptomatic Women
Publication Date
2014
Journal Title
Can J Cardiol
Abstract
There is a wealth of evidence about the role of a variety of diagnostic testing modalities to define coronary artery disease (CAD) risk in women presenting for evaluation of suspected myocardial ischemia. The exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) is the core index procedure, which can define risk in women capable of performing maximal exercise. Stress imaging, using echocardiography or myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography/positron emission tomography, is useful for symptomatic women with an abnormal resting ECG or for those who are functionally disabled. For women with low-risk stress imaging findings, there is a very low risk of CAD events, usually < 1%. There is a gradient relationship between the extent and severity of inducible abnormalities and CAD event risk. Women at high risk are those defined as having moderate to severely abnormal wall motion or abnormal perfusion imaging findings. In addition to stress imaging, the evidence of the relationship between CAD extent and severity and prognosis has been clearly defined with coronary computed tomographic angiography. In women, prognosis for those with mild but nonobstructive CAD is higher when compared with those without any CAD. The current evidence base clearly supports that women presenting with chest pain can benefit from one of the commonly applied diagnostic testing modalities.
Volume Number
30
Issue Number
7
Pages
729-737
Document Type
Article
EPub Date
2014/03/04
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
Cardiology
Additional Departments
Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention
PMID
DOI
10.1016/j.cjca.2013.09.019