When available, information from studies on cost is consid- ered, but data on efficacy and outcomes constitute the primary basis for the recommendations contained herein. In analyzing the data and developing recommendations and supporting text, the writing committee uses evidence-based methodologies developed by the Task Force.1 The Class of Recommendation (COR) is an estimate of the size of the treatment effect, with consideration given to risks versus benefits as well as evidence and/or agreement that a given treatment or procedure is or is not useful/effective or in some situations may cause harm. The Level of Evidence (LOE) is an estimate of the certainty or precision of the treatment effect. The writing committee reviews and ranks evidence supporting each recommendation, with the weight of evi- dence ranked as LOE A, B, or C according to specific definitions that are included in Table 1. Studies are identified as observational, retrospective, prospective, or randomized as appropriate. For certain conditions for which inadequate data are available, recommendations are based on expert consen- sus and clinical experience and are ranked as LOE C. When recommendations at LOE C are supported by historical clinical data, appropriate references (including clinical re- views) are cited if available. For issues for which sparse data are available, a survey of current practice among the clini- cians on the writing committee is the basis for LOE C recommendations, and no references are cited. The schema for COR and LOE is summarized in Table 1, which also provides suggested phrases for writing recommendations Fihn et al Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Full Text e357 within each COR. A new addition to this methodology is separation of the Class III recommendations to delineate whether the recommendation is determined to be of no benefit or is associated with harm to the patient. 