Long-term cardiovascular risk prediction in the emergency department: a mixed-methods study protocol

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of preventable death in Europe.
• Emergency departments (EDs) collect CVD risk factors but often fail to act on them.
• Utilizing routinely collected ED data could improve patient care and system efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prognostic value of routinely collected ED data for long-term CVD outcomes.
• To co-design a prototype care pathway for implementing this knowledge with stakeholders.
• To enhance holistic patient care and reduce health system inefficiencies.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative research.
• Quantitative analysis of ~21,000 chest pain patient episodes with 7.3-year follow-up using Cox regression.
• Qualitative semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to co-design a care pathway prototype.

Main Results:

• Investigating the prognostic characteristics of routinely collected ED data for long-term CVD outcomes.
• Developing a logic model based on thematic analysis to structure pathway development.
• Co-designing a prototype care pathway with stakeholders for improved CVD risk management.

Conclusions:

• Routinely collected ED data holds prognostic value for long-term CVD outcomes.
• A co-designed care pathway can effectively integrate this knowledge into clinical practice.
• This approach promises more efficient and holistic cardiovascular care.