A 1-h Combination Algorithm Allows Fast Rule-Out and Rule-In of Major Adverse Cardiac Events.

BACKGROUND: A 1-h algorithm based on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) testing at presentation and again 1 h thereafter has been shown to accurately rule out acute myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVES: The goal of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the 1-h algorithm when supplemented with patient history and an electrocardiogram (ECG) (the extended algorithm) for predicting 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and to compare it with the algorithm using hs-cTnT alone (the troponin algorithm). METHODS: This prospective observational study enrolled consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain, for whom hs-cTnT testing was ordered at presentation. Hs-cTnT results at 1 h and the ED physician's assessments of patient history and ECG were collected. The primary outcome was an adjudicated diagnosis of 30-day MACE defined as acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cardiogenic shock, ventricular arrhythmia, atrioventricular block, cardiac arrest, or death of a cardiac or unknown cause. RESULTS: In the final analysis, 1,038 patients were included. The extended algorithm identified 60% of all patients for rule-out and had a higher sensitivity than the troponin algorithm (97.5% vs. 87.6%; p < 0.001). The negative predictive value was 99.5% and the likelihood ratio was 0.04 with the extended algorithm versus 97.8% and 0.17, respectively, with the troponin algorithm. The extended algorithm ruled-in 14% of patients with a higher sensitivity (75.2% vs. 56.2%; p < 0.001) but a slightly lower specificity (94.0% vs. 96.4%; p < 0.001) than the troponin algorithm. The rule-in arms of both algorithms had a likelihood ratio >10. CONCLUSIONS: A 1-h combination algorithm allowed fast rule-out and rule-in of 30-day MACE in a majority of ED patients with chest pain and performed better than the troponin-alone algorithm.

Low atrial fibrillatory rate is associated with spontaneous conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) is considered a non-invasive index of atrial remodelling. Low AFR has been associated with favourable outcome of interventions in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, AFR has never been studied in unselected patients with short duration of AF, prone to regain sinus rhythm (SR) spontaneously. The aim of the study was to assess if AFR can predict spontaneous conversion in patients with recent-onset AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Files of consecutive patients with AF < 48 h seeking emergency room care during a 12-month period were screened (n = 225). Patients with thyroid illness, acute ischaemic heart disease (IHD) or acute congestive heart failure, significant valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, history of cardiac surgery or catheter ablation, or on class I/III antiarrhythmics were excluded. Atrial fibrillatory rate was obtained by QRST cancellation and time frequency analysis of electrocardiogram at admission. The study population comprised 148 patients (age 64 ± 13 years, 52 men), of whom 48 converted to SR within 18 h. Those converting spontaneously comprised more women, had a higher prevalence of first-ever AF episode, IHD, and a lower AFR. The multivariate analysis revealed: AFR < 350 fibrillations per minute [odds ratio (OR) 3.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-10.5, P = 0.016], IHD (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.5-22.4, P = 0.012) and first-ever AF episode (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.3-13.0, P = 0.015) as independent predictors of spontaneous conversion. CONCLUSION: A low AFR was predictive of spontaneous conversion in patients with recent-onset AF. Along with first-ever AF episode and IHD, AFR can be used in assessing likelihood of spontaneous conversion, if proven in prospective studies.

[More efficient investigation in suspected acute coronary syndrome possible. New diagnostic methods can improve the quality of care and save resources]. / Effektiviserad utredning möjlig vid misstänkt akut koronart syndrom. Nya undersökningsmetoder kan ge bättre vårdkvalitet och spara resurser.

The immediate evaluation of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department (ED) has remained almost unchanged for decades. At the same time, therapy for established ACS has undergone a remarkable and successful change towards early active intervention. Studies show that 7 out of 10 patients admitted with a suspicion of ACS do not have it, and that 2-5% of the patients with ACS are incorrectly sent home from the ED. With new diagnostic strategies, including e.g. risk prediction algorithms, new blood samples for plaque instability, special investigations like echocardiography, myocardial perfusion imaging and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as the Chest Pain Unit concept, improvements should definitely be possible. With the structured and evidence-based use of such strategies, it is our belief that more patients can be managed as outpatients, that length of stay can be shortened for those admitted, and that some patients with ACS can get an earlier adequate intervention.

Long term depression of human nociceptive skin senses induced by thin fibre stimulation.

We have recently shown that stimulation, through a multi-electrode array, of thin nerve fibres close to the dermo-epidermal junction in the skin, produces powerful inhibition of itch and, to a lesser degree, cutaneous pain in humans. Here, we have studied the induction time and frequency dependency (range 1-10Hz) of the inhibitory effects of such stimulation on itch, mechanical, and thermal pain, in 20 healthy subjects. Sixteen electrodes applied on the skin were consecutively stimulated using a method termed cutaneous field stimulation (CFS). The results show that different treatment periods with CFS were required for the induction of significant inhibitory effects on different nociceptive qualities: 1st heat pain (1 min), itch (3 min), 2nd heat pain (6 min), pinch evoked pain (8 min). Six to ten minutes stimulation sufficed to induce peak inhibitory effects on all these sensory qualities while longer stimulation (up to 40 min) did not cause significantly stronger inhibition. The effects on itch, 1st and 2nd heat pain lasted over 55 min after termination of CFS. There was no effect on prickle. No significant difference in inhibitory effects of different stimulation frequencies (1, 4 and 10Hz/electrode) was found. The induction time and effective stimulation frequencies may suggest that the underlying mechanisms are similar to those of long term depression (LTD) previously described in the spinal cord in animal experiments.

Patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome in a university hospital emergency department: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Improved diagnostics in suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are considered to be needed. To help clarify the current situation and the improvement potential, judged risk in the emergency department (ED) and outcome were analyzed among patients with suspected ACS at a university hospital. METHODS: 157 consecutive patients with symptoms of ACS were included at the ED during 10 days. Risk of ACS was estimated in the ED for each patient based on history, physical examination and ECG by assigning them to one of four risk categories; I (obvious myocardial infarction, MI), II (strong suspicion of ACS), III (vague suspicion of ACS), and IV (no suspicion of ACS). RESULTS: 4, 17, 29 and 50% of the patients were allocated to risk categories I-IV respectively. 74 patients (47%) were hospitalized but only 19 (26%) had ACS as the discharge diagnose. In risk categories I-IV, ACS rates were 100, 37, 12 and 0%, respectively. Of those admitted without ACS, at least 37% could probably, given perfect ED diagnostics, have been immediately discharged. 83 patients were discharged from the ED, and among them there were no hospitalizations for ACS or cardiac mortality at 6 months. Only about three patients per 24 h were considered eligible for a potential ED chest pain unit. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 75% of the patients hospitalized with suspected ACS did not have it, and some 40% of these patients could probably, given perfect immediate diagnostics, have been managed as outpatients. The potential for diagnostic improvement in the ED seems large.