Electron beam CT (computed tomography) "cheaper" than exercise test:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
In certain patients electron beam CT could offer cost benefits over exercise treadmill testing as an initial test for coronary artery disease, US researchers have concluded. Reporting in the February 1 edition of the American Journal of Cardiology, Dr Paolo Raggi and colleagues said that in 207 patients with a low to intermediate probability of coronary artery disease, EBCT provided savings of 45% to 65%. The researchers said the lower sensitivity of EBCT compared with nuclear imaging for obstructive disease and higher sensitivity for subclinical atherosclerotic disease meant that unnecessary follow-up angiography could be avoided more often.