Abstract 348: Marked Variability in the Patterns of Care and Health Outcomes among Patients Evaluated for Suspected Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Results from a Healthcare Claims Database Study of 12,129 Patients

Introduction: Over 10 million low-risk, non-diabetic Americans with signs and symptoms of suspected obstructive CAD undergo diagnostic testing, including MPI, CTCA, and/or stress ECHO. Because these tests have different functional characteristics, a patient’s initial study may have significant implications for subsequent cost of care and health outcomes. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that there is marked variation in the patterns of care for the evaluation of patients with suspected obstructive CAD, resulting in marked heterogeneity in cost of care and subsequent health outcomes. Methods: We utilized a large, national healthcare database to examine outcomes among non-diabetic adults undergoing stress ECHO, MPI, or CTCA between 2007-2010. The index date was defined by the first cardiac diagnostic test, and claims were observed one-year prior to and following this date. Patients were eligible if they had no history of CAD at baseline, and we collected data on inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacological claims....