Comparative Effectiveness of Stress Tests

EXACT-COST: Exercise CMR's Accuracy for Cardiovascular Stress Testing-Comparative Effectiveness of Stress Tests

The primary objective of this project is to demonstrate that a new approach to cardiac stress imaging that combines treadmill exercise with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) provides valuable clinical information in a cost-effective manner.

Inclusion Criteria:

• any patient referred for stress SPECT
• known or suspected ischemic heart disease
• ability to perform adequate treadmill stress

Exclusion Criteria:

• any contraindication to MRI (e.g. ferromagnetic foreign body, cerebral aneurysm clip, pacemaker/ICD, severe claustrophobia)
• renal insufficiency (GFR < 40)
• known allergy to gadolinium-based contrast or iodinated contrast (because of the research CTA in patients not referred for cath after 2 weeks)