22 Apr New Protocol for Rapid Exclusion of Heart Attack in a US Safety Net Hospital
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Vigen
Rebecca Vigen, MD, MSCS
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
UT Southwestern
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Emergency department overcrowding is an urgent health priority and chest pain is a common reason for emergency department visits. We developed a new protocol that uses high sensitivity cardiac troponin testing with a risk assessment tool that guides decisions on discharge and stress testing for patients presenting with chest pain. The protocol allows us to rule out heart attacks more quickly than the protocols utilizing an older troponin assay.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: Our study found that implementation of this protocol was associated with reduction in emergency department dwell times and was safe.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: This or similar protocols to exclude heart attacks among patients with chest pain have the potential to reduce ED overcrowding while maintaining safety.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: This should be evaluated in other patient populations. Studies of cost-effectiveness are also needed.
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Last Updated on May 12, 2020 by Marie Benz MD FAAD