Age and Computed Tomography and Invasive Coronary Angiography in Stable Chest Pain
Authors:   The DISCHARGE Trial Group, Bosserdt Maria , Serna-Higuita Lina M. , Feuchtner Gudrun , Merkely Bela , Kofoed Klaus F. , Benedek Theodora , Donnelly Patrick , Rodriguez-Palomares José , Erglis Andrejs , Štěchovský Cyril , Šakalytė Gintarė , Ađić Nada Čemerlić , Gutberlet Matthias , Dodd Jonathan D. , Diez Ignacio , Davis Gershan , Zimmermann Elke , Kępka Cezary , Vidakovic Radosav , Francone Marco , Ilnicka-Suckiel Małgorzata , Plank Fabian , Knuuti Juhani , Faria Rita , Schröder Stephen , Berry Colin , Saba Luca , Ruzsics Balazs , Rieckmann Nina , Kubiak Christine , Hansen Kristian Schultz , Müller-Nordhorn Jacqueline , Szilveszter Bálint , Sigvardsen Per E. , Benedek Imre , Orr Clare , Valente Filipa Xavier , Zvaigzne Ligita , Suchánek Vojtěch , Jankauskas Antanas , Ađić Filip , Woinke Michael , Hensey Mark , Lecumberri Iñigo , Thwaite Erica , Laule Michael , Kruk Mariusz , Neskovic Aleksandar N. , Mancone Massimo , Kuśmierz Donata , Pietilä Mikko , Ribeiro Vasco Gama , Drosch Tanja , Delles Christian , Porcu Maurizio , Fisher Michael , Boussoussou Melinda , Kragelund Charlotte , Aurelian Rosca , Kelly Stephanie , Garcia del Blanco Bruno , Rubio Ainhoa , Maurovich-Horvat Pál , Hove Jens D. , Rodean Ioana , Regan Susan , Cuellar-Calabria Hug , Molnár Levente , Larsen Linnea , Hodas Roxana , Napp Adriane E. , Haase Robert , Feger Sarah , Mohamed Mahmoud , Neumann Konrad , Dreger Henryk , Rief Matthias , Wieske Viktoria , Estrella Melanie , Martus Peter , Sox Harold C. , Dewey Marc 
Published: February 2024

Importance

The effectiveness and safety of computed tomography (CT) and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in different age groups is unknown.

Objective

To determine the association of age with outcomes of CT and ICA in patients with stable chest pain.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The assessor-blinded Diagnostic Imaging Strategies for Patients With Stable Chest Pain and Intermediate Risk of Coronary Artery Disease (DISCHARGE) randomized clinical trial was conducted between October 2015 and April 2019 in 26 European centers. Patients referred for ICA with stable chest pain and an intermediate probability of obstructive coronary artery disease were analyzed in an intention-to-treat analysis. Data were analyzed from July 2022 to January 2023.

Interventions

Patients were randomly assigned to a CT-first strategy or a direct-to-ICA strategy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

MACE (ie, cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or stroke) and major procedure-related complications. The primary prespecified outcome of this secondary analysis of age was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at a median follow-up of 3.5 years.

Results

Among 3561 patients (mean [SD] age, 60.1 [10.1] years; 2002 female [56.2%]), 2360 (66.3%) were younger than 65 years, 982 (27.6%) were between ages 65 to 75 years, and 219 (6.1%) were older than 75 years. The primary outcome was MACE at a median (IQR) follow-up of 3.5 (2.9-4.2) years for 3523 patients (99%). Modeling age as a continuous variable, age, and randomization group were not associated with MACE (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.98-1.07; P for interaction = .31). Age and randomization group were associated with major procedure-related complications (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.05-1.27; P for interaction = .005), which were lower in younger patients.

Conclusions and Relevance

Age did not modify the effect of randomization group on the primary outcome of MACE but did modify the effect on major procedure-related complications. Results suggest that CT was associated with a lower risk of major procedure-related complications in younger patients.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02400229