Based on a multi-payer claims database, post-PCI angina (or chest pain) was frequent, occurring in 28% of patients at 1-year and 40% at 3 years. Patients with post-PCI angina had more physician and emergency department visits, diagnostic testing, (including repeat cardiac catheterization 29 vs. 4%) and hospitalizations at 1-year leading to markedly higher total direct medical costs. These results should stimulate further research into the etiology of post-PCI angina and strategies to decrease both the frequency and the significant economic burden associated with the challenging problem.
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