Appendix 8.

Selection of Initial Treatment Strategy: Invasive Versus Conservative Strategy2

StrategyStatusPatient Characteristic
InvasiveGenerally preferredRecurrent angina or ischemia at rest or with low-level activities despite intensive medical therapy
Elevated cardiac biomarkers (TnT or TnI)
New or presumably new ST-segment depression
Signs or symptoms of HF or new or worsening mitral regurgitation
High-risk findings from noninvasive testing
Hemodynamic instability
Sustained ventricular tachycardia
PCI within 6 mo
Prior CABG
High-risk score (eg, TIMI, GRACE)
Mild to moderate renal dysfunction
Diabetes mellitus
Reduced left ventricular function (LVEF <40%)
ConservativeGenerally preferredLow-risk score (eg, TIMI, GRACE)
Patient or physician preference in the absence of high-risk features
  • CABG indicates coronary artery bypass graft; GRACE, Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events; HF, heart failure; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; TIMI, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction; TnI, troponin I; and TnT, troponin T. Reprinted from Anderson et al.2