Acute rule-out of non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in the (pre)hospital setting by HEART score assessment and a single point-of-care troponin: rationale and design of the ARTICA randomised trial

IntroductionBecause of the lack of prehospital protocols to rule out a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), patients with chest pain are often transferred to the emergency department (ED) for thorough evaluation. However, in low-risk patients, an ACS is rarely found, resulting in unnecessary healthcare consumption. Using the HEART (History, ECG, Age, Risk factors and Troponin) score, low-risk patients are easily identified. When a point-of-care (POC) troponin measurement is included in the HEART score, an ACS can adequately be ruled out in low-risk patients in the prehospital setting. However, it remains unclear whether a prehospital rule-out strategy using the HEART score and a POC troponin measurement in patients with suspected NSTE-ACS is cost-effective.Methods and analysisThe ARTICA trial is a randomised trial in which the primary objective is to investigate the cost-effectiveness after 30 days of an early rule-out strategy for low-risk patients suspected of a NSTE-ACS, using a modified HEART score including a POC troponin T measurement. Patients are included by ambulance paramedics and 1:1 randomised for (1) presentation at the ED (control group) or (2) POC troponin T measurement (intervention group) and transfer of the care to the general practitioner in case of a low troponin T value. In total, 866 patients will be included. Follow-up will be performed after 30 days, 6 months and 12 months.Ethics and disseminationThis trial has been accepted by the Medical Research Ethics Committee region Arnhem-Nijmegen. The results of this trial will be disseminated in one main paper and in additional papers with subgroup analyses.Trial registration numberNetherlands Trial Register (NL7148).

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Pre-hospital point-of-care troponin measurement: a clinical example of its additional value

Netherlands Heart Journal ◽

10.1007/s12471-020-01434-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (10) ◽

pp. 514-519

Author(s):

G. W. A. Aarts ◽

K. van der Wulp ◽

C. Camaro

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Randomised Trial ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

Low Risk ◽

Heart Score ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Risk Patients ◽

Rule Out

Abstract In the majority of patients with chest pain, an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can be ruled out. However, early recognition of an ACS is required in order to start treatment as soon as possible and reduce risks associated with myocardial ischaemia. Because of the lack of pre-hospital protocols to rule out an ACS, patients with a suspected ACS are transported to the emergency department, where the HEART score can be used to estimate the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Patients with a low HEART score have a low risk of MACE. A point-of-care (POC) troponin measurement enables ambulance paramedics to calculate the HEART score in the pre-hospital setting. POC troponin measurement and HEART score assessment have several potential advantages, including early recognition of an ACS and identification of high-risk patients before hospital arrival. Moreover, pre-hospital rule-out of an ACS could prevent unnecessary emergency department visits. The safety and cost-effectiveness of referring low-risk patients with a normal POC troponin value to the general practitioner are currently being investigated in the ARTICA randomised trial. This point-of-view article demonstrates one of the potential advantages of early detection of an ACS.

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The HEART score in the era of the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm

European Heart Journal Acute Cardiovascular Care ◽

10.1177/2048872619883619 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 30-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marcia Cortés ◽

Sohaib Haseeb ◽

Florencia Lambardi ◽

Rosina Arbucci ◽

Paula Ariznavarreta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

European Society ◽

Low Risk ◽

Major Adverse Cardiac Events ◽

Cardiac Events ◽

St Segment Elevation ◽

Heart Score ◽

St Segment ◽

Risk Patients ◽

European Society Of Cardiology ◽

Rule Out

Background: The European Society of Cardiology’s 0/1-hour algorithm improves the early triage of patients towards “rule-out” or “rule-in” of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The HEART score is a risk stratification tool for patients with undifferentiated chest pain. We sought to evaluate the performance of the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm and the HEART score to evaluate chest pain patients in the emergency department. Methods: In this prospective study, we applied the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm and the HEART score in 1355 consecutive patients who presented to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation. Patients were followed for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions and major adverse cardiac events at 30 days: death, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, or unplanned coronary revascularization. Results: The European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm classified 921 (68.0%) patients as “rule-out” and the HEART score classified 686 (50.6%) patients as “low-risk”. The 30-day incidence of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions was 0.32% in the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm “rule-out” patients versus 0.29% in the HEART score “low-risk” patients ( p=0.75). The rate of major adverse cardiac events was 7.7% in the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm “rule-out” patients versus 1.1% in the HEART score “low-risk” patients ( p<0.001). Conclusion: The European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm identified more patients with low risk of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions at 30 days whereas for major adverse cardiac events, the HEART score had a greater capacity to detect low-risk patients.

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A single high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T compared to the HEART score for a rapid rule-out of acute myocardial infarction at a prehospital emergency clinic

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.1680 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

T.R Johannessen ◽

D Atar ◽

O.M Vallersnes ◽

A.C.K Larstorp ◽

I Mdala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Cardiac Troponin ◽

Troponin T ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Low Risk ◽

Symptom Duration ◽

Funding Source ◽

Emergency Setting ◽

Heart Score ◽

Rule Out

Abstract Background Patients presenting with acute chest pain outside of hospitals represent a diagnostic challenge. Purpose We aimed to validate whether a single high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) safely can rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a primary care emergency setting. In addition, we aimed to investigate if the hs-HEART (History, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Age, Risk factors, and hs-Troponin) score would add valuable diagnostic information. Methods This is a secondary analysis from a prospective diagnostic study, including 1711 patients with acute non-specific chest pain presenting to a primary care emergency clinic from November 2016 to October 2018. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/1-hour algorithm triages patients towards direct rule-out if the 0-hour hs-cTnT is below 5 ng/L, combined with a normal ECG and a 3-hour symptom duration. The hs-HEART score (0–10 points) was calculated retrospectively, and a score ≤3 points was considered low-risk. In addition, a modified hs-HEART score, with more comparable hs-cTnT cut-off values, was applied. The primary endpoint was AMI during the index episode; the secondary the 90-day incidence of AMI (including index) and all-cause death. Results Among 1711 patients, 61 (3.6%) had an AMI, and 525 (30.7%) were assigned towards direct rule-out. With no AMIs in this group, the rule-out safety was high (negative predictive value (NPV) and sensitivity 100%). The hs-HEART score triaged more patients (n=966) as low-risk, but missed six AMIs (NPV 99.4% and sensitivity 90.2%). The modified hs-HEART score (n=707, AMI=3) increased the low-risk sensitivity to 95.1%. The 90-day incidence of AMI and all-cause death in the direct rule-out, low-risk hs-HEART, and modified hs-HEART group, were 0.0%, 0.7%, and 0.4%, respectively. Conclusions The ESC direct rule-out approach, with a single hs-cTnT below 5 ng/L, combined with a normal ECG, and a 3-hour symptom duration, is superior to the two hs-HEART scores in ruling out AMI in a primary care emergency setting. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): The Norwegian Research Fund for General Practice

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Evaluation of the 0 h/1 h high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T algorithm in diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in Han population

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) ◽

10.1515/cclm-2020-0367 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Chen Dongxu ◽

Zhou Yannan ◽

Yang Yilin ◽

Yao Chenling ◽

Gu Guorong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Troponin ◽

Troponin T ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Cardiac Troponin T ◽

Chinese Han ◽

Han Population ◽

St Segment Elevation ◽

Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction ◽

St Segment ◽

Rule Out

Abstract Objectives A rapid 0 h/1 h algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) for rule-out and rule-in of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is recommended by the European Society of Cardiology. We aim to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of the algorithm in Chinese Han patients with suspected NSTEMI. Methods In this prospective diagnostic cohort study, 577 patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected NSTEMI and recent (<12 h) onset of symptoms were enrolled. The levels of serum hs-cTnT were measured on admission, 1 h later and 4–14 h later. All patients underwent the initial clinical assessment and were triaged into three groups (rule-out, rule-in and observe) according to the 0 h/1 h algorithm. The major cardiovascular events (MACE) were evaluated at the 7-day and 30-day follow-ups. Results Among 577 enrolled patients, NSTEMI was the final diagnosis for 106 (18.4%) patients. Based on the hs-cTnT 0 h/1 h algorithm, 148 patients (25.6%) were classified as rule-out, 278 patients (48.2%) as rule-in and 151 patients (26.2%) were assigned to the observe group. The rule-out approach resulted in a sensitivity of 100% and negative predictive value of 100%. The rule-in approach resulted in a specificity of 62.9% [95% CI (58.5–67.2%)] and positive predictive value of 37.1% [95%CI (31.3–42.8%)]. No MACE was observed in the rule-out group within 30-day follow-up. Conclusions The hs-cTnT 0 h/1 h algorithm is a safe tool for early rule-out of NSTEMI, while probably not an effective strategy for accurate rule-in of NSTEMI in Chinese Han population.

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Pre-hospital risk assessment in suspected non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome: A prospective observational study

European Heart Journal Acute Cardiovascular Care ◽

10.1177/2048872618813846 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (1_suppl) ◽

pp. 5-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Dominique N van Dongen ◽

Rudolf T Tolsma ◽

Marion J Fokkert ◽

Erik A Badings ◽

Aize van der Sluis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

High Risk ◽

Risk Stratification ◽

Risk Group ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Low Risk ◽

Heart Score ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Risk Patients ◽

St Elevation

Background: Pre-hospital risk stratification of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) by the complete HEART score has not yet been assessed. We investigated whether pre-hospital risk stratification of patients with suspected NSTE-ACS using the HEART score is accurate in predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Methods: This is a prospective observational study, including 700 patients with suspected NSTE-ACS. Risk stratification was performed by ambulance paramedics, using the HEART score; low risk was defined as HEART score ⩽ 3. Primary endpoint was occurrence of MACE within 45 days after inclusion. Secondary endpoint was myocardial infarction or death. Results: A total of 172 patients (24.6%) were stratified as low risk and 528 patients (75.4%) as intermediate to high risk. Mean age was 53.9 years in the low risk group and 66.7 years in the intermediate to high risk group ( p<0.001), 50% were male in the low risk group versus 60% in the intermediate to high risk group ( p=0.026). MACE occurred in five patients in the low risk group (2.9%) and in 111 (21.0%) patients at intermediate or high risk ( p<0.001). There were no deaths in the low risk group and the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction in this group was 1.2%. In the high risk group six patients died (1.1%) and 76 patients had myocardial infarction (14.4%). Conclusions: In suspected NSTE-ACS, pre-hospital risk stratification by ambulance paramedics, including troponin measurement, is accurate in differentiating between low and intermediate to high risk. Future studies should investigate whether transportation of low risk patients to a hospital can be avoided, and whether high risk patients benefit from immediate transfer to a hospital with early coronary angiography possibilities.

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Changing in the profile of a patient with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation over the years 2015-2020

Medicni perspektivi (Medical perspectives) ◽

10.26641/2307-0404.2021.4.248164 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 94-98

Author(s):

O.S. Shchukina

Keyword(s):

Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Clinical Status ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

St Segment Elevation ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

St Segment ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Noteworthy Feature ◽

Risk Patients

The article represents an analysis of the dynamics of the main demographic, clinical, laboratory, and instrumental investigations, final diagnoses of patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation. A distinctive feature of the work is the recruitment of patients in the same medical institution for different periods of time, which makes possible to trace the dynamics of the clinical profile of patients in the population of Dnipro, a large industrial center of Ukraine. The prevalence of arterial hypertension, chronic heart failure and previous myocardial infarction remained at the same level. In the 2017-2020’s group compared with the 2015’s group, electrocardiographic manifestations of acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation upon admission were more often detected. Laboratory indicators such as hemoglobin, creatinine and total cholesterol levels remained the same. Another interesting finding is a statistically significant decrease in the number of patients with a reduced glomerular filtration rate according to MDRD (less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) in the 2017-2020’s group compared to patients in 2015’s group, although the clinical course of the disease remained practically unchanged. There was a trend towards a worsening of the clinical status and prognosis, namely, increase in the prevalence of atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus, increase in the risk of GRACE, as well as increase in the quantity of verified diagnoses of unstable angina, which is most likely associated with the increased use of high-sensitivity troponin. Noteworthy feature is that increase in the quantity of high-risk patients led to an increase in the mean GRACE score.

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P2677A combination of HEART score and a 0-hour/1-hour algorithm for early and safe triage tool for patients in observe zone

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehz748.0995 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M Shiozaki ◽

K Inoue ◽

S Suwa ◽

C C Lee ◽

S J Chiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Troponin T ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Final Diagnosis ◽

Low Risk ◽

Observation Group ◽

Abdominal Ultrasonography ◽

Diagnostic Uncertainty ◽

Heart Score ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Risk Score System

Abstract Background The European Society Cardiology guidelines recommend that a 0-hour/1-hour (0–1hr) algorithm using high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) improves the early triage of patients with suspected non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). However, diagnostic uncertainty remains in the 25–30% of patients assigned to “observe” group. Purpose To establish a step wise risk score system using HEART score and 0-hour/1-hour algorithm to identify the low risk group from observation group. Methods This study was a prospective, multi-center, observational study of patients with suspected NSTE-ACS admitted to five hospitals in Japan and Taiwan from 2014 to 2018, respectively. We applied the algorithm and calculated HEART score simultaneously. Patients were divided into three groups according to the algorithm: hs-cTnT below 12 ng/L and delta 1 hour below 3 ng/L were the “rule out” group; hs-cTnT at least 52 ng/L or delta 1 hour at least 5 ng/L were in the “rule in” group; the remaining patients were classified as the “observe” group. All patients underwent a clinical assessment the included medical history, physical examination, 12-lead ECG, continuous ECG monitoring, pulse oximetry, standard blood test, chest radiography, cardiac and abdominal ultrasonography. Patients presenting with congestive heart failure, terminal kidney disease on hemodialysis state, arrhythmia, or infection disease (which causes to increase troponin level) were excluded. Thirty-day MACE was defined as acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina (UA), or death. Results Of the 1,332 patients enrolled, 933 patients were analyzed after exclusion. NSTE-ACS was the final diagnosis for 122 (13.1%) patients and none of death. The HEART score less than 4 points in observation groups identified as very low risk with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.1% (95% confidential interval (CI); 90.1%-100%) and sensitivity of 98.0% (95% CI; 89.6%-100%). There were only one patient (0.5%) with AMI. In case of the HEART score less than 5 points, it could also identify as very low risk with a NPV of 96.7% (95% CI; 90.8%-99.3%%) and sensitivity of 94.1% (95% CI; 83.8%-98.8%). There were only three patients (1.2%) with AMI. Conclusion A combination of HEART score and the 0-hour/1-hour algorithm strategy rapidly identified the patient in observation group of 30-day MACE including UA where nor further cardiac testing would be needed. Acknowledgement/Funding JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP18K09554

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Diagnosis and Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome: What is New and Why? Insight From the 2020 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9113474 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 3474

Author(s):

Paul Guedeney ◽

Jean-Philippe Collet

Keyword(s):

Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽

European Society ◽

Bleeding Risk ◽

St Segment Elevation ◽

P2y12 Inhibitors ◽

Diagnosis And Management ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

St Segment ◽

European Society Of Cardiology ◽

Rule Out

The management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been at the center of an impressive amount of research leading to a significant improvement in outcomes over the last 50 years. The 2020 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the management of patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction have incorporated the most recent breakthroughs and updates from large randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the diagnosis and management of this disease. The purpose of the present review is to describe the main novelties and the rationale behind these recommendations. Hence, we describe the accumulating evidence against P2Y12 receptors inhibitors pretreatment prior to coronary angiography, the preference for prasugrel as leading P2Y12 inhibitors in the setting of ACS, and the numerous available antithrombotic regimens based on various durations of dual or triple antithrombotic therapy, according to the patient ischemic and bleeding risk profiles. We also detail the recently implemented 0 h/1 h and 0 h/2 h rule in, rule out algorithms and the growing role of computed coronary tomography angiography to rule out ACS in patients at low-to-moderate risk.

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