Stress Echocardiography Versus Exercise ECG (ExECG) in Women With Chest Pain

The investigators plan to perform a prospective study on all women seen in our RACPC with no previous history of CAD and intermediate pre-test probability of CAD as determined by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, who require a functional test as part of their assessment. All patients that meet the inclusion criteria and do not meet any of the exclusion criteria will be approached for consent to the study.

Patients who can perform greater than 5 metabolic equivalents (METS) on the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) questionaire will be randomised between undergoing an Exercise ECG (Ex-ECG) or Exercise Stress Echo (ESE). The DASI is a 12-item questionnaire that estimates self-reported physical work capacity and is converted to an estimate of peak metabolic equivalents. Patients who do not meet this criteria, will undergo a pharmacological stress echocardiogram using Dobutamine (DSE), including Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography (MCE). Investigations will continue to be performed as per standard clinical departmental protocols as described below. In addition, all patients will undergo carotid ultrasonography. The techniques used are described for completeness as they are all well-established in clinical practice.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 30 years and above
• No previous history of Coronary Artery Disease
• Chest pain of presumed cardiac origin, which has occurred in the last month prior to the clinic appointment.

Exclusion criteria

• Electrocardiogram diagnostic of cardiac ischaemia and/or infarction (ST-segment deviations>0.5mm, or T-wave inversion).
• Previous history of Coronary Artery Disease
• Chest pain in the last 24 hours
• Inability to provide informed consent
• Pregnancy