Project description:BackgroundThe number of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is substantial. We tested whether identification of coronary artery calcium (CAC) can improve the negative predictive value (NPV) of clinical risk assessment for ACS in patients with acute chest pain.Methods and resultsWe included 826 consecutive patients (mean age: 53±11years; 42% female) without known coronary artery disease (CAD) or initially elevated serum biomarkers, whom underwent non-contrast CT, to assess the CAC score, and CT angiography (CTA), to detect coronary stenosis. We analyzed the diagnostic performance of CAC and the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score for our primary outcomes (ACS and obstructive CAD). No CAC was found in 54% (n=444) of all patients, 63% (n=524) had a TIMI score of 0 and 40% (n=328) had both. The prevalence of obstructive CAD was 16% for ≥50% stenosis and 8.7% for ≥70% stenosis. The incidence of ACS was 7.9%, (MI=11, UAP=54). The NPV of CAC=0 was 99.5% for ACS. The NPV of a combination of TIMI score=0 and no CAC was 89% for any CAD (any plaque or stenosis) and 99.7% for ≥50% stenosis. A 100% NPV was found for ≥70% stenosis and ACS, correctly identifying 328 (40%) patients.ConclusionsThe exclusion of CAC, in combination with clinical risk assessment, has high clinical value in patients with acute chest pain, as it identifies patients at low risk for ACS and obstructive CAD more accurately as compared to clinical risk assessment alone.
Project description:Introduction: Cocaine users often present with repetitive events of cocaine-associated chest pain (CACP), clinically resembling acute coronary syndromes. The aim of the study is to describe the specific risk factors for CACP. Method: Cocaine users (n = 316) were recruited for a multicenter cross-sectional study. Lifetime CACP history, sociodemographic factors, and lifetime use of cocaine and other substances were assessed. Thirty single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of NOS3, ROCK2, EDN1, GUCY1A3, and ALDH2 genes, suggested by the literature on coronary spasms, were selected. The associations with CACP history were tested using the chi-square test, Student's t-test and logistic regression. Results: Among the 316 subjects [78.5% men, mean age 37.5 years, (standard-deviation ±8.7)], 190 (60.1%) were daily cocaine users and 103 (32.6%) reported a lifetime CACP history. Among those with a lifetime CACP history, the median was 10 events per individual. In multivariate analysis, lifetime CACP history was associated with daily cocaine use [odds-ratio (OR) 3.24; 95% confidence intervals (1.29-9.33)], rapid route of cocaine use [OR 2.33 (1.20-4.64) vs. intranasal use], and lifetime amphetamine use [daily amphetamine use: OR 2.80 (1.25-6.32) and non-daily amphetamine use: OR 2.14 (1.15-4.04) vs. never used]. Patients with lifetime opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) reported significantly less lifetime CACP history [OR 0.35 (0.16-0.76)]. None of the selected SNPs was associated with CACP history after multiple testing corrections. Conclusions: Clinical variables describing the intensity of stimulant use were positively associated with lifetime CACP history, while OMT was negatively associated with it. Specific harm reduction strategies can target these risk factors.
Project description:BackgroundPatients with low HEART (History, Electrocardiogram, Age, Risk factors, and Troponin level) risk scores who are discharged from the emergency department (ED) may present clinical challenges and diagnostic dilemmas. The use of downstream non-invasive stress imaging (NISI) tests in this population remains uncertain. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the value of NISI in risk stratification and predicting cardiac events in patients with low-risk HEART scores (LRHSs).MethodsWe prospectively included 1384 patients with LRHSs between March 2019 and March 2021. All the patients underwent NISI (involving myocardial perfusion imaging/stress echocardiography). The primary endpoints included cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and unplanned coronary revascularisation. Secondary endpoints encompassed cardiovascular-related admissions or ED visits.ResultsThe mean patient age was 64±14 years, with 670 (48.4%) being women. During the 634±104 days of follow-up, 58 (4.2%) patients experienced 62 types of primary endpoints, while 60 (4.3%) developed secondary endpoints. Multivariable Cox models, adjusted for clinical and imaging variables, showed that diabetes (HR: 2.38; p=0.008), HEART score of 3 (HR: 1.32; p=0.01), history of coronary artery disease (HR: 2.75; p=0.003), ECG changes (HR: 5.11; p<0.0001) and abnormal NISI (HR: 16.4; p<0.0001) were primary endpoint predictors, while abnormal NISI was a predictor of secondary endpoints (HR: 3.05; p<0.0001).ConclusionsNISI significantly predicted primary cardiac events and cardiovascular-related readmissions/ED visits in patients with LRHSs.
Project description:BackgroundCoronary artery calcium score (CAC) is an objective marker of atherosclerosis. The primary aim is to assess CAC as a risk classifier in stable coronary artery disease (CAD).HypothesisCAC improves CAD risk prediction, compared to conventional risk scoring, even in the absence of cardiovascular risk factor inputs.MethodsOutpatients presenting to a cardiology clinic (n = 3518) were divided into two cohorts: derivation (n = 2344 patients) and validation (n = 1174 patients). Adding logarithmic transformation of CAC, we built two logistic regression models: Model 1 with chest pain history and risk factors and Model 2 including chest pain history only without risk factors simulating patients with undiagnosed comorbidities. The CAD I Consortium Score (CCS) was the conventional reference risk score used. The primary outcome was the presence of coronary artery disease defined as any epicardial artery stenosis≥50% on CT coronary angiogram.ResultsArea under curve (AUC) of CCS in our validation cohort was 0.80. The AUC of Models 1 and 2 were significantly improved at 0.88 (95%CI 0.86-0.91) and 0.87 (95%CI 0.84-0.90), respectively. Integrated discriminant improvement was >15% for both models. At a pre-specified cut-off of ≤10% for excluding coronary artery disease, the sensitivity and specificity were 89.3% and 74.7% for Model 1, and 88.1% and 71.8% for Model 2.ConclusionCAC helps improve risk classification in patients with chest pain, even in the absence of prior risk factor screening.
Project description:BackgroundThe 2-hour accelerated diagnostic protocol (ADAPT) and the history electrocardiogram age risk factors troponin (HEART) Pathway are decision aids designed to identify Emergency Department (ED) patients with chest pain who are safe for early discharge. Both have demonstrated high sensitivity (>99%) for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days and early discharge rates ≥20%. The objective of this study is to compare the sensitivity and early discharge rates of the ADAPT and HEART Pathway decision aids in a cohort of ED patients with acute chest pain.MethodsA secondary analysis of participants enrolled and randomized to the HEART Pathway arm of the HEART pathway randomized controlled trial was conducted. Each patient was prospectively classified as low risk (suitable for early discharge) or high risk by ADAPT and the HEART Pathway. Sensitivity for MACE at 30 days and the number of patients identified as low-risk were calculated for each decision aid. Decision aid performance was compared using McNemar's test.ResultsMACE occurred in 8 of 141 (5.7%); there were no deaths, 7 patients had myocardial infarction, and 1 patient had coronary revascularization without myocardial infarction. ADAPT and the HEART pathway identified all patients with MACE as high risk; sensitivity for MACE of 100% [95% confidence interval (CI): 63-100%]. ADAPT identified 34 of 141 patients (24%; 95% CI: 17-32%) as low-risk, whereas the Heart pathway identified 66 of 141 patients (47%, 95% CI: 38-55%) as low risk (P < 0.001).ConclusionsWithin a cohort of ED patients with acute chest pain, ADAPT and the HEART pathway had high sensitivity for MACE. The HEART pathway outperformed ADAPT by correctly identifying more patients as low risk and safe for early discharge.
Project description:BackgroundThe History Electrocardiogram Age Risk factor Troponin (HEART) Pathway and Emergency Department Assessment of Chest pain Score (EDACS) are validated accelerated diagnostic pathways designed to risk stratify patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain. Data from large multisite prospective studies comparing these accelerated diagnostic pathways are limited.MethodsThe HEART Pathway Implementation is a prospective three-site cohort study, which accrued adults with symptoms concerning for acute coronary syndrome. Physicians completed electronic health record HEART Pathway and EDACS risk assessments on participants. Major adverse cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction and coronary revascularisation) at 30 days were determined using electronic health record, insurance claims and death index data. Test characteristics for detection of major adverse cardiac events were calculated for both accelerated diagnostic pathways and McNemar's tests were used for comparisons.Results5799 patients presenting to the emergency department were accrued, of which HEART Pathway and EDACS assessments were completed on 4399. Major adverse cardiac events at 30 days occurred in 449/4399 (10.2%). The HEART Pathway identified 38.4% (95% CI 37.0% to 39.9%) of patients as low-risk compared with 58.1% (95% CI 56.6% to 59.6%) identified as low-risk by EDACS (p<0.001). Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 0.4% (95% CI 0.2% to 0.9%) of patients classified as low-risk by the HEART Pathway compared with 1.0% (95% CI 0.7% to 1.5%) of patients identified as low-risk by EDACS (p<0.001). Thus, the HEART Pathway had a negative predictive value of 99.6% (95% CI 99.1% to 99.8%) for major adverse cardiac events compared with a negative predictive value of 99.0% (95% CI 98.5% to 99.3%) for EDACS.ConclusionsEDACS identifies a larger proportion of patients as low-risk than the HEART Pathway, but has a higher missed major adverse cardiac events rate at 30 days. Physicians will need to consider their risk tolerance when deciding whether to adopt the HEART Pathway or EDACS accelerated diagnostic pathway.Trial registration numberNCT02056964.
Project description:IntroductionCocaine is considered a cardiovascular risk factor, yet it is not included in the frequently used risk stratification scores. Moreover, many guidelines provide limited advice on how to diagnose and treat cocaine-associated chest pain (CACP). This study aimed to determine the current practice for CACP patients in emergency departments and coronary care units throughout the Netherlands.MethodsAn anonymous online questionnaire-based survey was conducted among Dutch emergency physicians and cardiologists between July 2015 and February 2016. The questionnaire was based on the American Heart Association CACP treatment algorithm.ResultsA total of 214 subjects were enrolled and completed the questionnaire. All responders considered cocaine use a risk factor for developing acute coronary syndrome (ACS), nevertheless 74.4 % of emergency physicians and 81.1 % of cardiologists do not always question chest pain patients about drug use. Of all responders, 73.6 % never perform toxicology screening. Most responders (60 %) observe patients with CACP according to the European Society of Cardiology ACS guideline, and 24.3 % give these patients ß-blockers.ConclusionThe current practice for CACP patients in most emergency departments and coronary care units in the Netherlands is not in line with the AHA scientific statement. Emergency physicians and cardiologists should be advised to routinely question all chest pain patients on drug history and be aware that the risk stratifications scores are not validated for CACP. Despite the AHA scientific statement of 2008, many respondents utilize ß-blockers for CACP patients, which is supported by published evidence since the statement appeared.
Project description:The most common symptom of cocaine abuse is chest pain. Cocaine induced chest pain (CICP) shares patho-physiological pathways with the acute coronary syndromes (ACS). A key event is the increase of activity of the adrenergic system. Beta blockers (BBs), a cornerstone in the treatment of ACS, are felt to be contraindicated in the patient with CICP due to a potential of an "unopposed alpha adrenergic effect (UAE)".Identify signs of UAE and in-hospital complications in patients who received BB while having cocaine induced chest pain.We performed a retrospective review of 378 patients admitted to a medical unit because of CICP. Twenty six of these were given a BB at the time of admission while having CICP. We compared these patients to a control group paired by age, sex, race and history of hypertension who did not received a BB while having CICP. Blood pressure, heart rate, length of stay and in-hospital cardiovascular complications were compared.No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups except for a longer length of stay in the case group. This was felt to be due to unrelated causes.This study does not support the presence of an UAE in patients with continuing CICP and treated early with BB. There were no in-hospital cardiovascular complications in the group of patients who had an early dose of BB while having CICP.BB appeared safe when given early on admission to patients with CICP.
Project description:BackgroundChest pain is a common symptom in urgent primary care. The distinction between urgent and non-urgent causes can be challenging. A modified version of the HEART score, in which troponin is omitted ('simplified HEART') or replaced by the so-called 'sense of alarm' (HEART-GP), may aid in risk stratification.MethodThis study involved a retrospective, observational cohort of consecutive patients evaluated for chest pain at a large-scale, out-of-hours, regional primary care facility in the Netherlands, with 6‑week follow-up for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). The outcome of interest is diagnostic accuracy, including positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV).ResultsWe included 664 patients; MACEs occurred in 4.8% (n = 32). For simplified HEART and HEART-GP, we found C‑statistics of 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80-0.91) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.85-0.95), respectively. Optimal diagnostic accuracy was found for a simplified HEART score ≥2 (PPV 9%, NPV 99.7%), HEART-GP score ≥3 (PPV 11%, NPV 99.7%) and HEART-GP score ≥4 (PPV 16%, NPV 99.4%). Physicians referred 157 patients (23.6%) and missed 6 MACEs. A simplified HEART score ≥2 would have picked up 5 cases, at the expense of 332 referrals (50.0%, p < 0.001). A HEART-GP score of ≥3 and ≥4 would have detected 5 and 3 MACEs and led to 293 (44.1%, p < 0.001) and 186 (28.0%, p = 0.18) referrals, respectively.ConclusionHEART-score modifications including the physicians' 'sense of alarm' may be used as a risk stratification tool for chest pain in primary care in the absence of routine access to troponin assays. Further validation is warranted.