Routine vs Selective Invasive Strategies in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes

CONTEXT: Patients with unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) can be cared for with a routine invasive strategy involving coronary angiography and revascularization or more conservatively with a selective invasive strategy in which only those with recurrent or inducible ischemia are referred for acute intervention. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a meta-analysis that compares benefits and risks of routine invasive vs selective invasive strategies. DATA SOURCES: Randomized controlled trials identified through search of MEDLINE and the Cochrane databases (1970 through June 2004) and hand searching of cross-references from original articles and reviews. STUDY SELECTION: Trials were…