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Lan NSR, Goh A, Dwivedi G, Hillis GS, Rankin JM, Chew DP, Ihdayhid AR. Low-level elevations in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin predict obstructive coronary artery disease and revascularisation in rural patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction referred for coronary angiography. Intern Med J 2024; 54:1035-1039. [PMID: 38808795 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Rural patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are transferred to metropolitan hospitals for invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Yet, many do not have obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). In this analysis of rural Western Australian patients transferred for ICA for NSTEMI, low-level elevations in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (≤5× upper reference limit) were associated with less obstructive CAD and revascularisation. Along with other factors, this may help identify rural patients not requiring transfer for ICA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick S R Lan
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Angela Goh
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Girish Dwivedi
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Graham S Hillis
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - James M Rankin
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Derek P Chew
- Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Abdul Rahman Ihdayhid
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Lan NSR, Alexander M, Ihdayhid AR. Clinical outcomes and health care costs of transferring rural Western Australians for invasive coronary angiography, and a cost-effective alternative care model. Med J Aust 2024; 220:107. [PMID: 38058003 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nick S R Lan
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA
- University of Western Australia, Perth, WA
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Lan NSR, Thomas DR, Jones CL, Raju V, Soon J, Otto J, Wood C, Briffa T, Dwivedi G, Rankin JM, Ihdayhid AR. Evaluation of stable chest pain following emergency department presentation: Impact of first-line cardiac computed tomography diagnostic strategy in an Australian setting. Emerg Med Australas 2024; 36:31-38. [PMID: 37593996 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.14290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE International guidelines provide increasing support for computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in investigating chest pain. A pathway utilising CTCA first-line for outpatient stable chest pain evaluation was implemented in an Australian ED. METHODS In pre-post design, the impact of the pathway was prospectively assessed over 6 months (August 2021 to January 2022) and compared with a 6-month pre-implementation group (February 2021 to July 2021). CTCA was recommended first-line in suspected stable cardiac chest pain, followed by chest pain clinic review. Predefined criteria were provided recommending functional testing in select patients. The impact of CTCA versus functional testing was evaluated. Data were obtained from digital medical records. RESULTS Three hundred and fifteen patients were included, 143 pre-implementation and 172 post-implementation. Characteristics were similar except age (pre-implementation: 58.9 ± 12.0 vs post-implementation: 62.8 ± 12.3 years, P = 0.004). Pathway-guided management resulted in higher first-line CTCA (73.3% vs 46.2%, P < 0.001), lower functional testing (30.2% vs 56.6%, P < 0.001) and lower proportion undergoing two non-invasive tests (4.7% vs 10.5%, P = 0.047), without increasing investigation costs or invasive coronary angiography (ICA) (pre-implementation: 13.3% vs post-implementation: 9.3%, P = 0.263). In patients undergoing CTCA, 40.7% had normal coronaries and 36.2% minimal/mild disease, with no difference in disease burden post-implementation. More medication changes occurred following CTCA compared with functional testing (aspirin: P = 0.005, statin: P < 0.001). In patients undergoing ICA, revascularisation to ICA ratio was higher following CTCA compared with functional testing (91.7% vs 18.2%, P < 0.001). No 30-day myocardial infarction or death occurred. CONCLUSIONS The pathway increased CTCA utilisation and reduced downstream investigations. CTCA was associated with medication changes and improved ICA efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick S R Lan
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David-Raj Thomas
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher L Jones
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Vikram Raju
- Department of Radiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jeanette Soon
- Department of Radiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jacobus Otto
- Department of Radiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Chris Wood
- Department of Radiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tom Briffa
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Girish Dwivedi
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - James M Rankin
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Abdul Rahman Ihdayhid
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Jaltotage B, Sukudom S, Ihdayhid AR, Dwivedi G. Enhancing Risk Stratification on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: The Role of Artificial Intelligence. Clin Ther 2023; 45:1023-1028. [PMID: 37813776 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe and outline the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in assisting coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in enhancing risk stratification. METHODS A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to identify published work investigating the utility of applying AI to CCTA. FINDINGS CCTA is an excellent diagnostic tool for the detection of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The noninvasive nature and high diagnostic accuracy have made CCTA a viable alternative to invasive coronary angiography to detect luminal stenosis. However, it is now understood that stenosis is just one factor that predicts cardiac risk and other factors need to be considered. CCTA-derived plaque biomarkers have since emerged as established predictors of cardiac events to improve risk stratification. Despite awareness of these biomarkers, they are still yet to be incorporated into routine clinical practice. The major barriers to implementation include the specialized skills required for image evaluation and the time intensive nature of analysis. With the many recent advancements in the technology, AI presents itself as a promising solution. AI is attractive because it has the potential to rapidly automate technically challenging tasks with exceptional accuracy. IMPLICATIONS Developments in the field of AI are occurring at a rapid rate. There is already increasing evidence of the potential AI has to greatly improve the utility of CCTA by improving analysis time and extracting additional prognostic data from new plaque biomarkers. There are, however, technical and ethical challenges that need to be considered before implementing such technology into routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Sukudom
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia; Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Abdul Rahman Ihdayhid
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia; Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; School of Medicine, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Girish Dwivedi
- Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia; Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
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Alexander M, Lan NSR, Dallo MJ, Briffa TG, Sanfilippo FM, Hooper A, Bartholomew H, Hii L, Hillis GS, McQuillan BM, Dwivedi G, Rankin JM, Ihdayhid AR. Clinical outcomes and health care costs of transferring rural Western Australians for invasive coronary angiography, and a cost-effective alternative care model: a retrospective cross-sectional study. Med J Aust 2023; 219:155-161. [PMID: 37403443 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in people from rural or remote Western Australia referred for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in Perth and their subsequent management; to estimate the cost savings were computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) offered in rural centres as a first line investigation for people with suspected CAD. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS Adults with stable symptoms in rural and remote WA referred to Perth public tertiary hospitals for ICA evaluation during the 2019 calendar year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Severity and management of CAD (medical management or revascularisation); health care costs by care model (standard care or a proposed alternative model with local CTCA assessment). RESULTS The mean age of the 1017 people from rural and remote WA who underwent ICA in Perth was 62 years (standard deviation, 13 years); 680 were men (66.9%), 245 were Indigenous people (24.1%). Indications for referral were non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (438, 43.1%), chest pain with normal troponin level (394, 38.7%), and other (185, 18.2%). After ICA assessment, 619 people were medically managed (60.9%) and 398 underwent revascularisation (39.1%). None of the 365 patients (35.9%) without obstructed coronaries (< 50% stenosis) underwent revascularisation; nine patients with moderate CAD (50-69% stenosis; 7%) and 389 with severe CAD (≥ 70% stenosis or occluded vessel; 75.5%) underwent revascularisation. Were CTCA used locally to determine the need for referral, 527 referrals could have been averted (53%), the ICA:revascularisation ratio would have improved from 2.6 to 1.6, and 1757 metropolitan hospital bed-days (43% reduction) and $7.3 million in health care costs (36% reduction) would have been saved. CONCLUSION Many rural and remote Western Australians transferred for ICA in Perth have non-obstructive CAD and are medically managed. Providing CTCA as a first line investigation in rural centres could avert half of these transfers and be a cost-effective strategy for risk stratification of people with suspected CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nick S R Lan
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA
| | | | | | | | - Andrew Hooper
- Medical Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Australia, Perth, WA
| | | | | | - Graham S Hillis
- Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA
| | - Brendan M McQuillan
- The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA
- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA
| | - Girish Dwivedi
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA
| | | | - Abdul Rahman Ihdayhid
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA
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