IMPRO - Improved Management of Patients with Recent-Onset Stable Chest Pain

In Germany, over 700,000 patients undergo cardiac catheterisation for chest pain every year. The most common reason for this is suspected coronary heart disease - the most common cause of death worldwide. In percentage terms, more cardiac catheterisations are performed in Germany than in any other country in the world. Coronary artery computed tomography (coronary CT) is an alternative diagnostic procedure to cardiac catheterisation. The advantages of coronary CT lie in the lower complication rate, the greater accuracy in the detection of deposits on the coronary arteries, the lower stress for patients and the lower examination costs.

The aim of those involved in the IMPRO project is to optimise the implementation of coronary CT in clinical routine in accordance with the decision of the Federal Joint Committee of 18 January 2024 and at the same time to avoid overuse. To this end, a new form of care is being trialled in 16 different regions in 12 federal states. This is intended to improve the primary and cross-sector care of patients with suspected coronary heart disease. The primary aim of the Germany-wide study is to find out whether the new form of care helps to reduce cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, in patients with suspected coronary heart disease. The researchers are also analysing how this type of treatment is accepted by patients and whether it can save costs. The project is being funded for 39 months with a total of around 9.3 million euros.

If successful, the new form of care can be introduced nationwide to improve the care of patients with suspected coronary heart disease and avoid unnecessary costs for the healthcare system.