Related Experiment Videos
[Chest pain unit: one-year follow-up]
Luis F Pastor Torres1, Ricardo Pavón-Jiménez, Margarita Reina Sánchez
1Servicio de Cardiología. Hospital Universitario Virgen de Valme. Sevilla. España. lpastortorres@eresmas.com
Revista Espanola De Cardiologia
|October 18, 2002
Summary
Chest pain units safely discharge low-to-medium risk acute coronary syndrome patients after early stress testing. This approach leads to a favorable mid-term outcome with fewer emergency room visits.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Limited data exists on Chest Pain Units (CPUs) in Spain for low-to-medium risk acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.
- CPUs aim to efficiently evaluate patients presenting with acute chest pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of early submaximal stress testing in emergency room patients with suspected ACS.
- To assess the mid-term outcomes of patients managed in a CPU setting.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study included 472 emergency room patients with suspected ACS and normal/unspecific initial evaluations.
- 179 patients underwent early submaximal stress testing.
- Follow-up was conducted for 1 year.
Main Results:
- No high-risk criteria for unstable angina were identified.
- Stress test results were negative in 78.8%, positive in 15.1%, and inconclusive in 6.1%.
- Patients with negative stress tests showed significantly fewer emergency room visits (11% vs. 22%, p<0.001) and favorable outcomes (89%).
Conclusions:
- CPUs facilitate rapid and safe discharge for low-to-medium risk chest pain patients.
- Early stress testing in CPUs is associated with favorable mid-term outcomes and reduced healthcare utilization.