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Related Experiment Videos

Core-peripheral temperature gradient as a diagnostic test in dyspnoea.

S F J Clarke1, R J Parris, K Reynard

  • 1South Manchester University Hospital, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK. sfjclarke@doctors.org.uk

Emergency Medicine Journal : EMJ
|August 23, 2005
PubMed
Summary

The core-peripheral temperature gradient can help differentiate cardiac from respiratory causes of dyspnoea (shortness of breath). A gradient over 8°C suggests a cardiac issue, while under 5°C suggests a respiratory one.

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Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Dyspnoea (shortness of breath) has diverse causes, including cardiac and respiratory conditions.
  • Accurate and rapid diagnosis is crucial for effective emergency care.
  • Distinguishing between cardiac and respiratory dyspnoea can be challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the utility of the core-peripheral temperature gradient in differentiating cardiac from respiratory causes of dyspnoea.
  • To assess the diagnostic accuracy of this non-invasive temperature measurement.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 46 patients presenting with dyspnoea, aged over 40, with a respiratory rate > 20 breaths/min and hypoxia.
  • Measurement of tympanic (core) and nasal tip (peripheral) temperatures.
  • Comparison of temperature gradients with final diagnoses confirmed by discharge data and chest X-ray.

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Main Results:

  • A statistically significant difference in mean temperature gradients was observed between cardiac and respiratory causes (p < 0.001).
  • A temperature gradient > 8°C demonstrated 92% specificity for identifying cardiac causes.
  • A temperature gradient < 5°C showed 100% sensitivity for ruling out cardiac causes.

Conclusions:

  • The core-peripheral temperature gradient is a safe, non-invasive, and inexpensive method.
  • This temperature gradient can serve as a valuable adjunct in the emergency assessment of acutely breathless patients.
  • Further studies may be needed to address study limitations, but the test shows promise.