scholarly journals Higher Emergency Physician Chest Pain Hospitalization Rates Do Not Lead to Improved Patient Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaw Natsui ◽  
Benjamin C. Sun ◽  
Ernest Shen ◽  
Rita F. Redberg ◽  
Maros Ferencik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Chest Pain ◽  
Emergency Physician ◽  
Hospital Care ◽  
Level Variation ◽  
Admission Rates ◽  
Coronary Syndrome

Background: Wide variation exists for hospital admission rates for the evaluation of possible acute coronary syndrome, but there are limited data on physician-level variation. Our aim is to describe physicians’ rates of admission for suspected acute coronary syndrome and associated 30-day major adverse events. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of adult emergency department chest pain encounters from January 2016 to December 2017 across 15 community emergency departments within an integrated health system in Southern California. The unit of analysis was the Emergency physician. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients admitted/observed in the hospital. Secondary analysis described the 30-day incidence of death or acute myocardial infarction. Results: Thirty-eight thousand seven hundred seventy-eight patients encounters were included among 327 managing physicians. The median number of encounters per physician was 123 (interquartile range, 82–157) with an overall admission/observation rate of 14.0%. Wide variation in individual physician admission rates were observed (unadjusted, 1.5%–68.9%) and persisted after case-mix adjustments (adjusted, 5.5%–27.8%). More clinical experience was associated with a higher likelihood of hospital care. There was no difference in 30-day death or acute myocardial infarction between high- and low-admitting physician quartiles (unadjusted, 1.70% versus 0.82% and adjusted, 1.33% versus 1.29%). Conclusions: Wide variation persists in physician-level admission rates for emergency department chest pain evaluation, even in a well-integrated health system. There was no associated benefit in 30-day death or acute myocardial infarction for patients evaluated by high-admitting physicians. This suggests an additional opportunity to investigate the safe reduction of physician-level variation in the use of hospital care.

scholarly journals Predictive Value of a 6-Hour Ecg/Troponin Protocol in Patients with Chest Pain

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
CY Man ◽  
PA Cameron ◽  
WL Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Chest Pain ◽  
Troponin T ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Chinese Patients ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Pain Patients

Introduction Patients presenting with chest pain and considered to be at low risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may still have coronary heart disease. The potential risk of sudden cardiac death due to arrhythmias or progression to acute myocardial infarction still exists. To minimize this risk, we have designed a 6-hour risk stratification protocol for patients with a low risk of acute myocardial infarction on initial assessment in the Accident and Emergency Department (AED). Materials & Methods This was a retrospective observational study with the aim of determining the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in chest pain patients attending an AED. These patients were subject to an ECG and cardiac troponin T tests (cTnT) at 0 hour and at 6 hours (if the two tests were negative at 0 hour), and were put under observation in the AED observation ward during the same period. The main outcome measures were adverse cardiac events at 30 days. Results A total of 371 Chinese patients considered to have low risk of ACS were recruited into the protocol. Troponin T tested positive in 19 patients (5.1%) at 0 hour and 8 patients (2.2%) at 6 hours. Amongst the 332 patients that were discharged directly from the AED, there were no re-admissions for cardiac-related deaths, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmia or heart failure. Conclusion The 6-hour ECG and troponin T observation protocol is a useful tool to allow safe discharge of chest pain patients who are at low risk of acute coronary syndrome.

Approach to the Patient Presenting with Chest Pain

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Tobias Nagurney
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Chest Pain ◽  
St Segment Elevation ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction ◽  
St Segment ◽  
Pain History

Caring for the emergency department patient with chest pain represents an important challenge to the emergency physician. Chest pain is the second most common presentation among all emergency department patients, accounting for approximately 6 million visits per year in the United States. Chest pain may represent a benign condition or a time-critical life threat; symptom overlap between benign and serious conditions can make an accurate chest pain diagnosis challenging. This review covers the pathophysiology, assessment, stabilization, diagnosis and treatment, and disposition and outcomes of chest pain. The figure shows an algorithm outlining the approach to the patient with chest pain. Tables list critical and noncritical diagnoses in patients presenting with chest pain: history, physical examination, and bedside testing; risk factors or associations for acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and aortic dissection; characteristics of the chest pain story to diagnose acute coronary syndrome; ABCDEs of resuscitation for patients with unstable vital signs; critical and noncritical diagnoses in patients presenting with chest pain: history, diagnosis, and treatment; prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients classified as low or high probability for this diagnosis by Wells score, modified Geneva score, and gestalt; commonly recognized pitfalls in the workup and diagnosis of chest pain in the emergency department; critical diagnoses in patients presenting with chest pain: history, disposition, and outcome; and summary of current recommendations. This review contains 1 highly rendered figure, 11 tables, and 54 references. Key words: acute coronary syndrome, acute myocardial infarction, anginal pain, aortic dissection, cardiac-related pain, chest pain, coronary artery disease, non–ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

scholarly journals LO56: External validation of a 1-hour rapid diagnostic algorithm for ruling out acute myocardial infarction in emergency department patients with chest pain using a high-sensitivity troponin-T assay

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S26-S26
Author(s):  
J. E. Andruchow ◽  
T. S. Boyne ◽  
S. Vatanpour ◽  
D. Wang ◽  
A. D. McRae
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Chest Pain ◽  
Emergency Physician ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithm ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Risk Criteria ◽  
High Sensitivity Troponin

Introduction: Ruling out acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using serial troponin testing is central to the care of many emergency department (ED) patients with chest pain. While diagnostic strategies using conventional troponin assays require repeat sampling over many hours to avoid missed diagnoses, serial high-sensitivity troponin (hs-cTn) assays may be able to exclude AMI in most patients within 1 or 2 hours. However, many of the initial studies deriving and validating these rapid diagnostic algorithms had all hs-cTn samples analyzed in a central core lab likely representing optimal assay performance. This objective of this study is to validate a 1-hour rapid diagnostic algorithm to exclude AMI in ED chest pain patients using an hs-cTn assay in real world practice. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at a single urban tertiary center and regional percutaneous coronary intervention site in Calgary, Alberta. Patients were eligible for enrolment if they presented to the ED with chest pain, were 25-years or older and required biomarker testing to rule out AMI at the discretion of the attending emergency physician. Patients were excluded if they had clear acute ischemic ECG changes, new arrhythmia or renal failure requiring hemodialysis. A high-sensitivity troponin result (Roche Elecsys hs-cTnT) was obtained in all patients at ED presentation and 1-hour later. The primary outcome was AMI on the index visit. Secondary outcomes included 30-day AMI and 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE - including AMI, revascularization or cardiac death). Electronic medical records were reviewed and telephone follow-up was obtained for all patients at 30-days to ensure relevant events were captured. Two physician adjudication (board-certified emergency physician and cardiologist) was obtained for all outcomes. The study was REB approved. Results: A total of 350 patients were enrolled from August 2014 September 2016 with 1-hour serial hs-cTnT results, of which 219 (62.6%) met the 1-hour rapid diagnostic algorithm low risk criteria (time 0h hs-cTnT <12ng/L and delta 1h <3ng/L). The sensitivity of the 1-hour low risk criteria for index AMI was 97.2% (95% CI 85.5%-99.9%) and for 30-day AMI was 97.3% (95% CI 85.8-99.9%). The sensitivity of the low risk criteria for 30-day MACE was lower 80.9% (95% CI 66.7-90.9%) but maintained a high negative predictive value, 95.9% (95% CI 92.3-98.1%). Conclusion: A 1-hour rapid diagnostic algorithm using an hs-cTnT assay was highly sensitive for AMI on the index visit and successfully identified patients at low risk of 30-day AMI; however, sensitivity for 30-day MACE was much lower. Of note, the 1-hour algorithm appears to be less sensitive for both AMI and 30-day MACE than a 2-hour algorithm validated in the same population.

scholarly journals Comparison of Six Decision Aid Rules For Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction In Elderly Patients Presenting To The Emergency Department With Acute Chest Pain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juraj Hrečko ◽  
Jiří Dokoupil ◽  
Radek Pudil
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Chest Pain ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Real Life ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Coronary Syndrome

Abstract Background: Using decision aid rules for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not common practice in our region. Elderly patients are often neglected in clinical trials, and the proper diagnostics of acute myocardial infarction in this group remains problematic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of different strategies for the diagnosis of AMI in the elderly in real-life clinical practice. Methods: In a retrospective single-center study, we included patients older than 70 years presenting to the emergency department with chest pain as a dominant symptom. The performance of six decision aid rules (T-MACS, HEART, EDACS, TIMI, GRACE, and ADAPT) and solo troponin T strategy for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction was evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, odds ratios, negative and positive predictive values.Results: A total of 250 patients, with a mean age of 78.5 years, were enrolled. Forty-eight patients (19.2%) had an acute myocardial infarction in a 30 day follow-up period. The sensitivity for ruling-out AMI was 100% for T-MACS, HEART, and ADAPT; 97.9% for EDACS, 93.8% for TIMI, and 81.3% for GRACE and solo TnT strategy. For ruling-in AMI, the specificity was 97.5% for T-MACS, 95% for TIMI, 83.2% for HEART, 81.7% for GRACE, and 46% for ADAPT. C-statistics were 0.52 for T-MACS, 0.51 for ADAPT, 0.47 for EDACS and GRACE, 0.46 for HEART and TIMI, and 0.33 for solo TnT strategy.Conclusion: T-MACS decision aid had the best performance with 100% sensitivity and 100% negative predictive value for rule-out AMI; 97.5% specificity and 64.3% positive predictive value for rule-in AMI. Other evaluated protocols were less accurate. Risk stratification of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome based on decision aid rules can be used in real-life practice, even in the population of the elderly.

The performance of high sensitivity troponin for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction is underestimated

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally J. Aldous ◽  
Chris M. Florkowski ◽  
Ian G. Crozier ◽  
Martin P. Than
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
High Sensitivity Troponin

AbstractMany papers evaluating high sensitivity troponin assays make the diagnosis of myocardial infarction based on conventional troponin assays in clinical use at the time of recruitment. Such analyses often do not show superiority of high sensitivity assays compared with contemporary assays meeting precision guidelines.Three hundred and twenty-two patients presenting to the emergency department between November 2006 and April 2007 for evaluation for acute coronary syndrome had serial (0 h and >6 h) bloods taken to compare troponin assays (Roche hsTnT, Abbott TnI, Roche TnT and Vitros TnI). The diagnosis of myocardial infarction was made using each troponin assay separately with which that same assay was analysed for diagnostic performance.The rate of myocardial infarction would be 38.9% using serial hsTnT, 31.3% using serial Abbott TnI, 27.1% using serial TnT and 26.4% using serial Vitros TnI. The baseline sensitivities (0 h) are 89.9% (85.2–93.3) for hsTnT, 77.9% (71.0–87.5) for Abbott TnI, 73.0% (65.6–78.7) for TnT and 86.8% (74.6–94.4%) for Vitros TnI. The specificities (peak 0 h and >6 h samples) are 93.1% (91.2–93.1) for hsTnT, 88.3% (86.5–88.3) for Abbott TnI, 92.2% (90.5–92.2) for TnT and 90.6% (70.1–90.6) for Vitros TnI.hsTnT has superior sensitivity for myocardial infarction than even assays at or near guideline precision requirements (Abbott and Vitros TnI). The specificity of hsTnT assay is not as poor as previous analyses suggest.

scholarly journals An audit of paramedic administration of oxygen therapy to patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Chun Wen Wong ◽  
Prof. Anne Wilson ◽  
Prof. Hugh Grantham
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Chest Pain ◽  
Oxygen Therapy ◽  
Adherence Rate ◽  
Current Guideline ◽  
The South ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Suspected Acute Myocardial Infarction

IntroductionIn the past, high flow oxygen was routinely administered to patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction. Recent evidence has suggested there is no benefit from hyperoxaemia, and in these patients it might result in adverse outcomes. The Australian and New Zealand Council of Resuscitation (ANZCOR) guideline previously recommended routine oxygen therapy, but a recent change has occurred. The ANZCOR current guideline recommends selective use of oxygen therapy in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction, to achieve oxygen saturations ≥94% and <98%. Because the change occurred recently, the South Australian paramedic adherence rate to the ANZCOR guideline was unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the South Australian paramedic adherence rate to the ANZCOR oxygen use in acute coronary syndrome recommendations.MethodsA retrospective audit of patient case notes was conducted, for patients with chest pain presenting via ambulance to a tertiary hospital emergency department, during a 3-month period. Paramedic administration of oxygen therapy was then compared against the ANZCOR recommendations.ResultsParamedics treated a total of 111/139 (79.9%, CI 72.4–85.7%) in line with the ANZCOR guideline and the treatment of 28/139 (20.1%, CI 14.3–27.6%) fell outside of the recommendations.ConclusionAlthough the results demonstrated a degree of compliance, this could be improved through clinical education, a review of the local chest pain guidelines, an introduction of a drug protocol for oxygen therapy and future research investigating the reasons for non-compliance to the best practice guidelines.

scholarly journals A mimic of a STEMI in an elderly male patient at emergency department requiring no stent

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lagath Wanigabadu ◽  
◽  
Jithesh Choyi ◽  
Shahram Ahmadvazi ◽  
Sarah Justice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Chest Pain ◽  
Coronary Angiography ◽  
Male Patient ◽  
Apical Ballooning ◽  
Elderly Male ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
St Elevation

An elderly male patient presented with chest pain and an initially abnormal ECG, with 1 mm ST elevation in the lateral leads. As he was pain free on arrival, he was treated locally, where a coronary angiography showed no stenosis and echocardiography showed apical ballooning which indicated Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TC). On further questioning, he indicated he has been worrying about his son’s financial circumstances. Patients with TC can present with a history and an ECG resembling and indistinguishable from ST-elevation Myocardial infarction or other types of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).

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