Noninvasive tests for cardiac risk stratification. Which ones are most prognostic?
Assessment of cardiac risk is an important factor in treatment decision making in patients with coronary artery disease. Once the initial diagnosis has been made, various cardiac tests can be used to obtain pertinent information about risk level and the appropriateness of medical versus more invasive treatments. In this overview, Dr Litchfield describes the available tests for assessing cardiac function and reviews data about the diagnostic accuracy and incremental prognostic value of the most commonly used tests.
Section of Cardiology and Nuclear Cardiology, Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Downers Grove, Illinois, USA. rlitch2@hotmail.com
Robert L
RL
Litchfield
D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014481:United States