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Objectives. We sought to identify the clinical characteristics associated with, and to investigate the impact of cohort selection criteria on, interracial use of invasive cardiac procedures and to determine survival.

Background. Although interracial differences in the use of invasive cardiac procedures have been previously reported, the underlying reasons are not known.

Methods. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Study patients were evaluated for cardiovascular disease between January 1 and December 31, 1993.

Results. The study included 1,406 male patients (85% white, 58% married), with a mean age of 63.4 years. African Americans were less likely than whites to undergo procedures (cardiac catheterization: odds ratio [OR] 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24 to 0.58; coronary angioplasty: OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.49; coronary bypass surgery: OR 0.22, 95% CI 0 …