The immediate impact of the Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation (COURAGE) trial on the management of stable angina.
BACKGROUND
The Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation (COURAGE) trial confirmed that percutaneous coronary intervention is no better than optimal medical therapy for the prevention of major adverse cardiac events in patients with stable angina. The impact of these findings on clinical practice remains unknown.


OBJECTIVE
Clinicians may more frequently opt for medical rather than procedural therapy of stable angina in response to the COURAGE trial.


METHODS
Clinical information was collected from patients with stable angina referred to our hospital for cardiac catheterization between January 1, 2007 and June 18, 2007 (n = 332). Catheterization referral volume and the use of medications and coronary revascularization were compared before and after the release of the COURAGE trial.


RESULTS
There was a significant increase in anti-ischemia medication use prior to catheterization referral following the COURAGE trial (mean = 1.31 [SD 0.83] medications pre-COURAGE, mean = 1.54 [SD 0.84] medications post-COURAGE, P = 0.012). Among 217 patients with coronary disease on catheterization, treatment with medication rather than percutaneous or surgical revascularization increased after COURAGE (11.1% pre-COURAGE vs 23.0% post-COURAGE, P = 0.03). There was also a significant decrease in referral volume following the COURAGE trial (3.12 referrals/day pre-COURAGE vs 2.51 referrals/day post-COURAGE, P = 0.034).


CONCLUSIONS
The COURAGE trial immediately impacted the management of stable angina. Catheterization referral volume decreased, medication use increased, and the use of medical therapy rather than revascularization increased among patients with coronary disease.
Atwater
Brett D
BD
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27713, USA. bdamd2002@yahoo.com
Oujiri
James
J
Wolff
Matthew R
MR
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents