Investigating six-month health outcomes of patients with angina discharged from a chest pain service

Hospital admissions for patients with suspected cardiac chest pain are increasing. The development of a chest pain service allows rapid diagnosis, investigation and treatment. Since the in-patient stay is often short, there is limited time for education and risk factor management. Little is known about the patients' recovery post discharge. This study was completed to investigate the 6-month health outcomes of 57 patients discharged from the chest pain service by measuring cardiovascular symptoms and risk profiles, mood and quality of life, adherence to secondary prevention, morbidity and mortality. The results of this study showed that 58% of the sample still suffered angina, 72% reported breathlessness, and 79% reported lethargy. Assessment of mood showed that 76% suffered from anxiety and 78% depression. Quality of life was impaired. A reduction of cholesterol level was the only significant change in risk factors. Secondary prevention measures showed that there was still room for improvement. Twenty-five percent of the sample was readmitted to hospital due to their cardiac condition. Patients had an average of eight contacts with their general practitioner, four of which were cardiac related. The ongoing symptoms, anxiety and depression and uncorrected risk factors can impact on their recovery. Currently, however, no programme of rehabilitation is available for angina patients, despite the potential for up to 30% of patients suffering a subsequent cardiac event (Ghandi et al., British Heart Journal 73 (1995) 193-198). This study suggests the need to develop, implement and evaluate a CR programme in this client group.     

Risk stratification in patients with chest pain

This article reviews the role of exercise testing in the assessment of patients with suspected coronary disease. To accomplish this, four major topics are considered: the general concept of risk stratification; the estimation of outcomes using data from the initial evaluation of the patient; diagnostic assessment with the exercise test; and prognostic assessment with the exercise test. This review focuses on the standard treadmill exercise test.     

北京市急诊胸痛的病因学调查分析

目的探讨北京市急诊科胸痛患者的病因学构成,为确立进一步的治疗方案提供依据,降低治疗费用。方法 本研究属多中心前瞻性描述性研究,参研单位包括17所医院。使用统一表格记录入选患者的一般资料,包括既往病史,发病时间,到达医院急诊时间,胸痛特点,心电图描述及诊断,初步诊断,急诊的诊治情况,辅助检查,确定诊断和去向,就诊30d后的临床转归情况。所有数据经SAS8．2统计软件进行统计学处理。结果2009年7—8月,在17个医疗中心连续有效人选至急诊室就诊的胸痛患者,计划纳入6000例,最终5666例患者确认获得有效记录而入选,平均年龄（58．1±18．4）岁,男性2663例,占47％;女性3003例,占53％。胸痛患者占急诊总量的4．7％（5666／130553）。病因学分析结果：冠心病1509例（27．4％）,急性心力衰竭149例（2．6％）,心包炎4例（0．1％）,肺栓塞11例（0．2％）,主动脉夹层8例（0．1％）,急性脑血管病431例（7．6％）,非心源性胸痛2538例（44．9％）。30d随访结果：院外死亡37例（O．7％）,再次入院275例（4．9％）。结论重视并认真对待胸痛患者,特别是无胸痛患者和以伴随症状就诊的患者,正确地做出诊断,及时进行规范诊疗,降低患者的病死率。     

The prevalence and correlates of psychological outcomes in patients with acute non-cardiac chest pain: a systematic review

Over 40% of patients admitted to emergency departments (ED) with chest pain receive a non-cardiac diagnosis. Patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) have a good prognosis in terms of cardiac adverse events and mortality; however, they tend to have poor outcomes in terms of psychological morbidity, quality of life (QoL), further chest pain and the use of health services. In recent years there has been an increase in the use of ED-based 'rapid rule-out' protocols and the provision of dedicated chest pain units. This review sought to chart the psychological outcomes of NCCP patients who access ED-based care, and identify the correlates of poorer psychological outcomes. Twelve papers were identified reporting 10 studies. NCCP patients had similar levels of anxiety, depression, and QoL to patients who received a cardiac diagnosis for their pain, but worse levels than healthy controls. Factors associated with poorer psychological outcomes included gender, age, previous psychiatric history and certain symptoms such as fear of dying and light headedness. However, the studies were heterogeneous, with a variety of outcome measures, designs and settings. In summary, the review identifies poor psychological outcomes in NCCP patients accessing ED-based care; however, there is a need for longitudinal studies using reliable and valid measures to define further the predictors of these poor outcomes.     

Musculoskeletal chest wall syndromes in patients with noncardiac chest pain: a study of 100 patients.

One hundred patients with chest pain and negative coronary arteriography were evaluated for musculoskeletal chest wall findings. Sixty-nine patients had chest wall tenderness. Typical chest pain was evoked by palpation in 16 patients. Tender areas were not found in a control group of patients without chest pain. A diagnosis of fibrositis could be made in five patients, including two in whom chest palpation reproduced typical chest pain. The sternal and xiphoid area, left costosternal junctions, and left anterior chest wall were the areas where tenderness was most common, but no significant differences were found comparing locations of tenderness in those with reproduction of typical pain. There was no significant difference in location, exacerbating factors, or other musculoskeletal symptoms among different groups of patients. Thus, most patients with noncardiac chest pain have chest wall tenderness that is not found in a control group without chest pain. However, reproduction of pain by palpation, a more specific diagnostic finding, is found in a minority of these patients.     

Noncardiac chest pain in patients with heart disease

This is a retrospective study of cardiac patients with noncardiac chest pain referred for evaluation of esophageal motility. Sixty-eight patients with heart disease were compared with 210 patients without heart disease according to findings from symptom questionnaires and a psychologic test (Brief Symptom Inventory). More than 70% of each group qualified for an anxiety or depressive diagnosis on the symptom questionnaire. These diagnoses were supported by significant elevations of scores on the anxiety and depression scales of the Brief Symptom Inventory. Male gender and a diagnosis of panic disorder occurred significantly more often in the patients with heart disease. "Stress" was cited as the cause of illness in about half the sample, but this led to less than satisfactory rates of psychiatric evaluation or pharmacotherapy. This is of particular concern for the cardiac patients because of the known adverse effect of anxiety and depression in those with heart disease.     

Predictors and outcomes of frequent chest pain unit users

Aim

To determine predictors of frequent chest pain unit (CPU) users and to identify characteristics and outcomes of their CPU visits.

Patients and Methods

Observational prospective case-control study. Frequent CPU user was defined by 3 or more CPU visits within the study year. A control patient and a control visit were randomly selected for each case patient and case visit. Demographic, clinical, and outcome variables were collected from medical record and phone interview performed in a 30-day interval. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify frequent CPU users′ predictors.

Results

Of 1934 patients presenting during the year, 80 (4.1%) met the definition for case patient. They accounted for 352 (13%) of 2709 CPU visits. Sixty-seven (83.7%) case patients and 71 (88.7%) control patients were contacted. The final predictors were the following: Karnofsky Performance Scale of 70 or lesser (odds ratio [OR], 5.24 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.71-16.06]), previous hospitalization (OR, 3.76 [95% CI, 1.49-9.49]), previously known coronary artery disease (OR, 3.72 [95% CI, 1.32-10.52]), and symptoms of depression (OR, 2.98 [95% CI, 1.14-7.78]). Case visits were more likely at night (OR, 2.41 [95% CI, 1.64- 3.52]), generated more diagnostic uncertainty (OR, 2.39 [95% CI, 1.71-3.35]), but did not increase the need of hospital admission.

Conclusions

Frequent CPU user is associated with previously known coronary artery disease, previous hospitalization, impaired performance status, and presence of symptoms of depression. They are more likely to arrive on CPU at night and generate more diagnostic uncertainty.     

Utilization of coronary computed tomography angiography for exclusion of coronary artery disease in ED patients with low- to intermediate-risk chest pain: a 1-year experience

Objective

We describe our preliminary experience with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in emergency department (ED) patients with low- to intermediate-risk chest pain.

Methods

A convenience cohort of patients with low- to intermediate-risk acute chest pain presenting to a suburban ED in 2009 were prospectively enrolled if the attending physician ordered a CCTA for possible coronary artery disease. Demographic and clinician data were entered into structured data collection sheets required before any imaging. The results of CCTA were classified as normal, nonobstructive (1%-50% stenosis), and obstructive (>50% stenosis). Outcomes included hospital admission and death within a 6-month follow-up period.

Results

In 2009, 507 patients with ED chest pain had a CCTA while in the ED. The median (interquartile range) age was 54 (47-62) years; 51.5% were female. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction risk scores were 0 (42.6%), 1 (42.2%), 2 (11.8%), 3 (2.4%), and 4 (1.0%). The results of CCTA were normal (n = 363), nonobstructive (n = 123), and obstructive (n = 21). Admission rates by CCTA results were obstructive (90.5%), nonobstructive (4.9%), and normal (3.0%). None of the patients with normal or nonobstructive CCTA died within the 6-month follow-up period (0%; 95% confidence interval, 0-0.9%).

Conclusions

Many ED patients with low- to intermediate-risk chest pain have a normal or nonobstructive CCTA and may be safely discharged from the ED without any associated mortality within the following 6 months.     

髓过氧化物酶对胸痛患者的临床意义

目的探讨髓过氧化物酶(MPO)浓度与急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)发生、发展的关系及胸痛患者检测血浆MPO的临床意义。方法将78例胸痛患者按美国心脏病学会(ACC)/美国心脏协会(AHA)标准确诊为ACS 41例、稳定性心绞痛(SAP)17例,其余20例列为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附法测定血浆MPO浓度,同时检测血白细胞(WBC)、中性粒细胞(Neu)、红细胞(RBC)、血小板(PLT)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、甘油三酯(TG)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、空腹血糖(FBG)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)及高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)。分析MPO与其他指标的相关性;绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,计算曲线下面积(AUC),分析MPO对ACS的诊断性能,并与临床诊断ACS的方法(临床表现加冠状动脉造影)做对比(Kappa一致性检验)。结果 ACS组血浆MPO浓度明显高于对照组和SAP组(P<0.05),且SAP组高于对照组(P<0.05)。血浆MPO浓度与Neu、CK-MB及疾病严重程度呈正相关(r值分别为0.288、0.469、0.757,P值分别为0.018、0.043、0.000),与年龄、hs-CRP、TC、LDL-C、HDL-C、TG、AST、FBG、LDH、RBC、PLT均无相关性(P>0.05)。MPO诊断ACS的AUC为0.927(P=0.000),诊断界值为212.59μg/L。41例ACS患者中MPO阳性39例、阴性2例;37例非ACS患者(包括SAP 17例、对照者20例)中MPO阳性5例、阴性32例。MPO诊断ACS的敏感性为95.1%、特异性为86.5%、总符合率为91.0%、假阴性率(漏诊率)为4.9%、假阳性率(误诊率)为13.5%、阳性预测值为88.6%、阴性预测值为94.1%。本法与临床诊断ACS方法的Kappa值为0.819(P=0.000),2种方法的一致性较好。结论 MPO可以作为诊断ACS的炎症标志物之一,对于ACS的鉴别具有重要的临床意义。     

Culturally competent care of patients with acute chest pain

PURPOSE: To inform nurse practitioners (NPs) about the influence of culture on patients' responses to pain using the example of acute chest pain. DATA SOURCES: Selected clinical and research articles on pain and culture and the authors' clinical experiences providing care across a variety of cultures. CONCLUSIONS: There is very little written and even fewer studies on the connection of culture and the response to acute chest pain. This topic needs more attention by nurse researchers. Implications for practice If NPs are not aware that some patients may not demonstrate behavior typically expected in acute myocardial infarction, they may miss the diagnosis and fail to treat or refer these patients for immediate treatment.     

Coronary angiographic findings in patients with cocaine-associated chest pain

Patients who present to the Emergency Department (ED) with chest pain associated with cocaine use are a common problem. The incidence and predictors of underlying significant coronary disease in patients with and without myocardial infarction (MI) has not been well described. Patients who underwent coronary angiography within 5 weeks of an ED evaluation for cocaine-associated chest pain were studied. Significant disease was defined as > or = 50% stenosis of a coronary artery or major branches or bypass graft. A total of 90 patients underwent coronary angiography. Significant disease was present in 45 (50%), with 1-vessel disease in 32%, 2-vessel disease in 10%, 3-vessel disease in 6%, with significant graft stenosis in 3%. Significant disease was present in 77% of patients with MI or troponin I elevations, compared to only 35% of patients without myonecrosis. Predictors of significant coronary disease included MI or troponin I elevations, prior MI, known coronary disease (prior MI or revascularization), and elevated cholesterol. Only 7 of the 39 patients (18%) without myonecrosis or a history of coronary disease had significant disease on angiography. In conclusion, significant disease is found in the majority of patients with cocaine-associated MI or troponin elevations. In contrast, only a minority of those without myonecrosis have significant coronary disease.     

Laboratory diagnosis of patients with acute chest pain.

The enzyme activities of creatine kinase (CK), its isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) and of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 (LD-1) have been used for years in diagnosing patients with chest pain in order to differentiate patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from non-AMI patients. These methods are easy to perform as automated analyses, but they are not specific for cardiac muscle damage. During the early 90's the situation changed. First creatine kinase MB mass (CK-MB mass) replaced the measurement of CK-MB activity. Subsequently cardiac-specific proteins troponin T (cTnT) and troponin I (cTnI) appeared on the scene, displacing LD-1 analysis. However, troponin concentrations in blood increase only from four to six hours after onset of chest pain. Therefore a rapid marker such as myoglobin, fatty acid binding protein or glycogen phosphorylase BB could be used in early diagnosis of AMI. On the other hand, CK-MB isoforms alone may also be useful in rapid diagnosis of cardiac muscle damage. Myoglobin, CK-MB mass, cTnT and cTnI are nowadays widely used in diagnosing patients with acute chest pain. Myoglobin is not cardiac-specific and therefore requires supplementation with some other analyses such as troponins to support the myoglobin value. Troponins are very highly cardiac-specific. Only the sera of some patients with severe renal failure, which requires hemodialysis, have elevated cTnT and/or cTnI without there being any evidence of cardiac damage. On the other hand, the latest studies have shown that elevated troponin levels in sera of hemodialysis patients point to an increased risk of future cardiac events in a similar manner to the elevated troponin values in sera of patients with unstable angina pectoris. In addition, the bedside tests for cTnT and cTnI alone or together with myoglobin and CK-MB mass can be used instead of quantitative analyses in the diagnosis of patients with chest pain. These rapid tests are easy to perform and they do not require expensive instrumentation. For routine clinical laboratory practice we suggest that in diagnosis of patients with chest pain, myoglobin and CK-MB mass measurements should be performed whenever they are requested (24 h/day) and cTnT or cTnI on admission to the hospital and then 4-6 and 12 hours later.     

CPR training in households of patients with chest pain

The objectives of this study are to (1). quantify prior cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in households of patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with or without chest pain or ischaemic heart disease (IHD); (2). evaluate the willingness of household members to undertake CPR training; and (3). identify potential barriers to the learning and provision of bystander CPR. A cross-sectional study was conducted by surveying patients presenting to the ED of a metropolitan teaching hospital over a 6-month period. Two in five households of patients presenting with chest pain or IHD had prior training in CPR. This was no higher than for households of patients presenting without chest pain or IHD. Just under two in three households of patients presenting with chest pain or IHD were willing to participate in future CPR classes. Potential barriers to learning CPR included lack of information on CPR classes, perceived lack of intellectual and/or physical capability to learn CPR and concern about causing anxiety in the person at risk of cardiac arrest. Potential barriers to CPR provision included an unknown cardiac arrest victim and fear of infection. The ED provides an opportunity for increasing family and community capacity for bystander intervention through referral to appropriate training.