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Innes GD, Scheuermeyer FX, McRae AD, Teichman JMH, Lane DJ. Hydronephrosis severity clarifies prognosis and guides management for emergency department patients with acute ureteral colic. CAN J EMERG MED 2021; 23:687-695. [PMID: 34304393 DOI: 10.1007/s43678-021-00168-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In emergency department patients with ureteral colic, the prognostic value of hydronephrosis is unclear. Our goal was to determine whether hydronephrosis can differentiate low-risk patients appropriate for trial of spontaneous passage from those with clinically important stones likely to experience passage failure. METHODS We used administrative data and structured chart review to evaluate a consecutive cohort of patients with ureteral stones who had a CT at nine Canadian hospitals in two cities. We used CT, the gold standard for stone imaging, to assess hydronephrosis and stone size. We described classification accuracy of hydronephrosis severity for detecting large (≥ 5 mm) stones. In patients attempting spontaneous passage we used hierarchical Bayesian regression to determine the association of hydronephrosis with passage failure, defined by the need for rescue intervention within 60 days. To illustrate prognostic utility, we reported pre-test probability of passage failure among all eligible patients (without hydronephrosis guidance) to post-test probability of passage failure in each hydronephrosis group. RESULTS Of 3251 patients, 70% male and mean age 51, 38% had a large stone, including 23%, 29%, 53% and 72% with absent, mild, moderate and severe hydronephrosis. Passage failure rates were 15%, 20%, 28% and 43% in the respective hydronephrosis categories, and 23% overall. "Absent or mild" hydronephrosis identified a large subset of patients (64%) with low passage failure rates. Moderate hydronephrosis predicted slightly higher, and severe hydronephrosis substantially higher passage failure risk. CONCLUSIONS Absent and mild hydronephrosis identify low-risk patients unlikely to experience passage failure, who may be appropriate for trial of spontaneous passage without CT imaging. Moderate hydronephrosis is weakly associated with larger stones but not with significantly greater passage failure. Severe hydronephrosis is an important finding that warrants definitive imaging and referral. Differentiating "moderate-severe" from "absent-mild" hydronephrosis provides risk stratification value. More granular hydronephrosis grading is not prognostically helpful.
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Harrison TG, Ronksley PE, James MT, Brindle ME, Ruzycki SM, Graham MM, McRae AD, Zarnke KB, McCaughey D, Ball CG, Dixon E, Hemmelgarn BR. The Perioperative Surgical Home, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery and how integration of these models may improve care for medically complex patients. Can J Surg 2021; 64:E381-E390. [PMID: 34296705 PMCID: PMC8410465 DOI: 10.1503/cjs.002020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Perioperative medicine is changing rapidly, and with this change comes the opportunity to improve upon current models of care delivery and integration within the health care system. Perioperative models of care are structured or conceptual arrangements for surgical patients before, during and after their surgery. Models of care such as the Perioperative Surgical Home and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathways are increasingly used to guide the structure of perioperative care delivery with an aim to improve patient outcomes and experience in Canadian settings. In this narrative review, we summarize the origins of these perioperative models of care. They are fundamentally different in scope and level of evidence. Both models have potential benefits and limitations to their broad implementation in our health care system. As currently developed, both models are limited in their application to patients with chronic disease. We discuss how these models of care can be used to develop integrated horizontal and vertical perioperative pathways in a Canadian setting. Such integration is a potential solution that will improve their applicability to patients with medically complex conditions and in times when health care systems are under pressure. We describe this approach using the example of patients with kidney failure receiving dialysis.
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Lee JS, Bhandari T, Simard R, Emond M, Topping C, Woo M, Perry J, Eagles D, McRae AD, Lang E, Wong C, Sivilotti M, Newbigging J, Borgundvaag B, McLeod SL, Melady D, Chernoff L, Kiss A, Chenkin J. Point-of-care ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia in older ED patients with hip fractures: a study to test the feasibility of a training programme and time needed to complete nerve blocks by ED physicians after training. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e047113. [PMID: 34226222 PMCID: PMC8258568 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Point-of-care ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia (POCUS-GRA) provides safe, rapid analgesia for older people with hip fractures but is rarely performed in the emergency department (ED). Self-perceived inadequate training and time to perform POCUS-GRA are the two most important barriers. Our objective is to assess the feasibility of a proposed multicentre, stepped-wedge cluster randomised clinical trial (RCT) to assess the impact of a knowledge-to-practice (KTP) intervention on delirium. DESIGN Open-label feasibility study. SETTING An academic tertiary care Canadian ED (annual visits 60 000). PARTICIPANTS Emergency physicians working at least one ED shift per week, excluding those already performing POCUS-GRA more than four times per year. INTERVENTION A KTP intervention, including 2-hour structured training sessions with procedure bundle and email reminders. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The primary feasibility outcome is the proportion of eligible physicians that completed training and subsequently performed POCUS-GRA. Secondary outcome is the time needed to complete POCUS-GRA. We also test the feasibility of the enrolment, consent and randomisation processes for the future stepped-wedge cluster RCT (NCT02892968). RESULTS Of 36 emergency physicians, 4 (12%) were excluded or declined participation. All remaining 32 emergency physicians completed training and 31 subsequently treated at least one eligible patient. Collectively, 27/31 (87.1%) performed 102 POCUS-GRA blocks (range 1-20 blocks per physician). The median (IQR) time to perform blocks was 15 (10-20) min, and reduction in pain was 6/10 (3-7) following POCUS-GRA. There were no reported complications. CONCLUSION Our KTP intervention, consent process and randomisation were feasible. The time to perform POCUS-GRA rarely exceeded 30 min, Our findings reinforce the existing data on the safety and effectiveness of POCUS-GRA, mitigate perceived barriers to more widespread adoption and demonstrate the feasibility of trialling this intervention for the proposed stepped-wedge cluster RCT. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Clinicaltrials.gov #02892968.
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Lane DJ, Blanchard IE, Buick JE, Shaw M, McRae AD. Changes in presentation, presenting severity and disposition among patients accessing emergency services during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Calgary, Alberta: a descriptive study. CMAJ Open 2021; 9:E592-E601. [PMID: 34074633 PMCID: PMC8177906 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20200313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unique pressures on the emergency services system. This study describes changes in the presentation, presenting severity and disposition of patients accessing emergency services in Calgary, Alberta, during the first wave of the pandemic. METHODS In this descriptive study, we constructed a population cohort of all patients who accessed emergency services by calling emergency medical services (EMS) (ambulance service that provides prehospital treatment and transport to medical facilities) or presenting directly to an emergency department (4 adult and 1 pediatric) or 2 urgent care centres in Calgary during the exposure period (December 2019 to June 2020) compared to 2 historical control periods (December to June, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019) combined. Outcomes included frequency of presentation, system flow indicators, patient severity, disposition and mortality. We used a locally estimated scatterplot smoothing function to visualize trends. We described differences at the maximum and minimum point of the exposure period compared to the control period. RESULTS A total of 1 127 014 patient encounters were included. Compared to the control period, there was a 61% increase in the number of patients accessing EMS and a 35% decrease in the number of those presenting to an adult emergency department or urgent care centre in the COVID-19 period. The proportion of EMS calls for the highest-priority patients remained stable, whereas the proportion of patients presenting to an emergency department or urgent care centre with the highest-priority triage classification increased transiently by 0.9 percentage points (increase of 89%). A smaller proportion of patients were transported by EMS (decrease of 21%), and a greater proportion of emergency department patients were admitted to hospital (increase of 25%). After the first case was reported, the mortality rate among EMS patients increased by 265% (3.4 v. 12.4 per 1000 patient encounters). INTERPRETATION The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with substantial changes in the frequency and disposition of patients accessing emergency services. Further research examining the mechanism of these observations is important for mitigating the impact of future pandemics.
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Calder LA, Perry J, Yan JW, De Gorter R, Sivilotti MLA, Eagles D, Myslik F, Borgundvaag B, Émond M, McRae AD, Taljaard M, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Cheng W, Forster AJ, Stiell IG. Adverse Events Among Emergency Department Patients With Cardiovascular Conditions: A Multicenter Study. Ann Emerg Med 2021; 77:561-574. [PMID: 33612283 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE We aim to determine incidence and type of adverse events (adverse outcomes related to emergency care) among emergency department (ED) patients discharged with recent-onset atrial fibrillation, acute heart failure, and syncope. METHODS This 5-year prospective cohort study included high-acuity adult patients discharged with the 3 sentinel diagnoses from 6 tertiary care Canadian EDs. We screened all ED visits for eligibility and performed telephone interviews 14 days postdischarge to identify flagged outcomes: death, hospital admission, return ED visit, health care provider visit, and new or worsening symptoms. We created case summaries describing index ED visit and flagged outcomes, and trained emergency physicians reviewed case summaries to identify adverse events. We reported adverse event incidence and rates with 95% confidence intervals and contributing factor themes. RESULTS Among 4,741 subjects (mean age 70.2 years; 51.2% men), we observed 170 adverse events (3.6 per 100 patients; 95% confidence interval 3.1 to 4.2). Patients discharged with acute heart failure were most likely to experience adverse events (5.3%), followed by those with atrial fibrillation (2.0%) and syncope (0.8%). We noted variation in absolute adverse event rates across sites from 0.7 to 6.0 per 100 patients. The most common adverse event types were management issues, diagnostic issues, and unsafe disposition decisions. Frequent contributing factor themes included failure to recognize underlying causes and inappropriate management of dual diagnoses. CONCLUSION Among adverse events after ED discharge for patients with these 3 sentinel cardiovascular diagnoses, we identified quality improvement opportunities such as strengthening dual diagnosis detection and evidence-based clinical practice guideline adherence.
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Stiell IG, Sivilotti MLA, Taljaard M, Birnie D, Vadeboncoeur A, Hohl CM, McRae AD, Morris J, Mercier E, Macle L, Brison RJ, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Rowe BH, Borgundvaag B, Clement CM, Brinkhurst J, Brown E, Nemnom MJ, Wells GA, Perry JJ. A randomized, controlled comparison of electrical versus pharmacological cardioversion for emergency department patients with acute atrial flutter. CAN J EMERG MED 2021; 23:314-324. [PMID: 33959925 DOI: 10.1007/s43678-020-00067-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute atrial flutter has one-tenth the prevalence of acute atrial fibrillation in the emergency department (ED) but shares many management strategies. Our aim was to compare conversion from acute atrial flutter to sinus rhythm between pharmacological cardioversion followed by electrical cardioversion (Drug-Shock), and electrical cardioversion alone (Shock-Only). METHODS We conducted a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled comparison of attempted pharmacological cardioversion with IV procainamide followed by electrical cardioversion if necessary, and placebo infusion followed by electrical cardioversion. We enrolled stable patients with a primary diagnosis of acute acute atrial flutter at 11 academic EDs. The primary outcome was conversion to normal sinus rhythm. FINDINGS From July 2013 to October 2018, we enrolled 76 patients, and none were lost to follow-up. Comparing the Drug-Shock to the Shock-Only group, conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 33 (100%) versus 40 (93%) (absolute difference 7.0%; 95% CI - 0.6 to 14.6; P = 0.25). Median time to conversion from start of infusion in the Drug-Shock group was 24 min (IQR 21-82) but only 9 (27%) cases were converted with IV procainamide. Patients in both groups had similar outcomes at 14 days; there were no strokes or deaths. INTERPRETATION This trial found that the Drug-Shock strategy is potentially superior but that either approach to immediate rhythm control in the ED for patients with acute acute atrial flutter is highly effective, rapid, and safe in restoring sinus rhythm and allowing patients to go home and return to normal activities. Unlike the case of atrial fibrillation, we found that IV procainamide alone was infrequently effective.
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Hohl CM, Rosychuk RJ, McRae AD, Brooks SC, Archambault P, Fok PT, Davis P, Jelic T, Turner JP, Rowe BH, Mercier É, Cheng I, Taylor J, Daoust R, Ohle R, Andolfatto G, Atzema C, Hayward J, Khangura JK, Landes M, Lang E, Martin I, Mohindra R, Ting DK, Vaillancourt S, Welsford M, Brar B, Dahn T, Wiemer H, Yadav K, Yan JW, Stachura M, McGavin C, Perry JJ, Morrison LJ. Development of the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network population-based registry: a methodology study. CMAJ Open 2021; 9:E261-E270. [PMID: 33731427 PMCID: PMC8096396 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20200290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency physicians lack high-quality evidence for many diagnostic and treatment decisions made for patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our objective is to describe the methods used to collect and ensure the data quality of a multicentre registry of patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. METHODS This methodology study describes a population-based registry that has been enrolling consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 since Mar. 1, 2020. Most data are collected from retrospective chart review. Phone follow-up with patients at 30 days captures the World Health Organization clinical improvement scale and contextual, social and cultural variables. Phone follow-up also captures patient-reported quality of life using the Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey at 30 days, 60 days, 6 months and 12 months. Fifty participating emergency departments from 8 provinces in Canada currently enrol patients into the registry. INTERPRETATION Data from the registry of the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network will be used to derive and validate clinical decision rules to inform clinical decision-making, describe the natural history of the disease, evaluate COVID-19 diagnostic tests and establish the real-world effectiveness of treatments and vaccines, including in populations that are excluded or underrepresented in clinical trials. This registry has the potential to generate scientific evidence to inform our pandemic response, and to serve as a model for the rapid implementation of population-based data collection protocols for future public health emergencies. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, no. NCT04702945.
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Krishnan RJ, Mukarram M, Ghaedi B, Sivilotti MLA, Le Sage N, Yan JW, Huang P, Hegdekar M, Mercier E, Nemnom MJ, Calder LA, McRae AD, Rowe BH, Wells GA, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V. Benefit of hospital admission for detecting serious adverse events among emergency department patients with syncope: a propensity-score-matched analysis of a multicentre prospective cohort. CMAJ 2020; 192:E1198-E1205. [PMID: 33051314 PMCID: PMC7588246 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.191637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The benefit of hospital admission after emergency department evaluation for syncope is unclear. We sought to determine the association between hospital admission and detection of serious adverse events, and whether this varied according to the Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS). METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of a multicentre prospective cohort of patients assessed in the emergency department for syncope. We compared patients admitted to hospital and discharged patients, using propensity scores to match 1:1 for risk of a serious adverse event. The primary outcome was detection of a serious adverse event in hospital for admitted patients or within 30 days after emergency department disposition for discharged patients. RESULTS We included 8183 patients, of whom 743 (9.1%) were admitted; 658/743 (88.6%) were matched. Admitted patients had higher odds of detection of a serious adverse event (odds ratio [OR] 5.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.3-7.4), nonfatal arrhythmia (OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.9-8.8) and nonarrhythmic serious adverse event (OR 6.3, 95% CI 2.9-13.5). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in death (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.4-2.7) or detection of ventricular arrhythmia (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.7-6.0). Differences between admitted and discharged patients in detection of serious adverse events were greater for those with a CSRS indicating medium to high risk (p = 0.04). INTERPRETATION Patients with syncope were more likely to have serious adverse events identified within 30 days if they were admitted to hospital rather than discharged from the emergency department. However, the benefit of hospital admission is low for patients at low risk of a serious adverse event.
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Chan KK, Joo DA, McRae AD, Takwoingi Y, Premji ZA, Lang E, Wakai A. Chest ultrasonography versus supine chest radiography for diagnosis of pneumothorax in trauma patients in the emergency department. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 7:CD013031. [PMID: 32702777 PMCID: PMC7390330 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013031.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chest X-ray (CXR) is a longstanding method for the diagnosis of pneumothorax but chest ultrasonography (CUS) may be a safer, more rapid, and more accurate modality in trauma patients at the bedside that does not expose the patient to ionizing radiation. This may lead to improved and expedited management of traumatic pneumothorax and improved patient safety and clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES To compare the diagnostic accuracy of chest ultrasonography (CUS) by frontline non-radiologist physicians versus chest X-ray (CXR) for diagnosis of pneumothorax in trauma patients in the emergency department (ED). To investigate the effects of potential sources of heterogeneity such as type of CUS operator (frontline non-radiologist physicians), type of trauma (blunt vs penetrating), and type of US probe on test accuracy. SEARCH METHODS We conducted a comprehensive search of the following electronic databases from database inception to 10 April 2020: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Web of Science Core Collection and Clinicaltrials.gov. We handsearched reference lists of included articles and reviews retrieved via electronic searching; and we carried out forward citation searching of relevant articles in Google Scholar and looked at the "Related articles" on PubMed. SELECTION CRITERIA We included prospective, paired comparative accuracy studies comparing CUS performed by frontline non-radiologist physicians to supine CXR in trauma patients in the emergency department (ED) suspected of having pneumothorax, and with computed tomography (CT) of the chest or tube thoracostomy as the reference standard. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted data from each included study using a data extraction form. We included studies using patients as the unit of analysis in the main analysis and we included those using lung fields in the secondary analysis. We performed meta-analyses by using a bivariate model to estimate and compare summary sensitivities and specificities. MAIN RESULTS We included 13 studies of which nine (410 traumatic pneumothorax patients out of 1271 patients) used patients as the unit of analysis; we thus included them in the primary analysis. The remaining four studies used lung field as the unit of analysis and we included them in the secondary analysis. We judged all studies to be at high or unclear risk of bias in one or more domains, with most studies (11/13, 85%) being judged at high or unclear risk of bias in the patient selection domain. There was substantial heterogeneity in the sensitivity of supine CXR amongst the included studies. In the primary analysis, the summary sensitivity and specificity of CUS were 0.91 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85 to 0.94) and 0.99 (95% CI 0.97 to 1.00); and the summary sensitivity and specificity of supine CXR were 0.47 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.63) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.97 to 1.00). There was a significant difference in the sensitivity of CUS compared to CXR with an absolute difference in sensitivity of 0.44 (95% CI 0.27 to 0.61; P < 0.001). In contrast, CUS and CXR had similar specificities: comparing CUS to CXR, the absolute difference in specificity was -0.007 (95% CI -0.018 to 0.005, P = 0.35). The findings imply that in a hypothetical cohort of 100 patients if 30 patients have traumatic pneumothorax (i.e. prevalence of 30%), CUS would miss 3 (95% CI 2 to 4) cases (false negatives) and overdiagnose 1 (95% CI 0 to 2) of those without pneumothorax (false positives); while CXR would miss 16 (95% CI 11 to 21) cases with 0 (95% CI 0 to 2) overdiagnosis of those who do not have pneumothorax. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The diagnostic accuracy of CUS performed by frontline non-radiologist physicians for the diagnosis of pneumothorax in ED trauma patients is superior to supine CXR, independent of the type of trauma, type of CUS operator, or type of CUS probe used. These findings suggest that CUS for the diagnosis of traumatic pneumothorax should be incorporated into trauma protocols and algorithms in future medical training programmes; and that CUS may beneficially change routine management of trauma.
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Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, McRae AD, Rowe BH, Sivilotti MLA, Mukarram M, Nemnom MJ, Booth RA, Calder LA, Stiell IG, Wells GA, Cheng W, Taljaard M. Does N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Improve the Risk Stratification of Emergency Department Patients With Syncope? Ann Intern Med 2020; 172:648-655. [PMID: 32340039 DOI: 10.7326/m19-3515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have reported that natriuretic peptides provide prognostic information for emergency department (ED) syncope. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether adding N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to the Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS) improves prediction of 30-day serious adverse events (SAEs). DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING 6 EDs in 2 Canadian provinces. PARTICIPANTS 1452 adult ED patients with syncope. INTERVENTION Serum NT-proBNP was measured locally at 1 site and batch processed at a central laboratory from other sites. The concentrations were not available to treating physicians or for adjudication of outcomes. MEASUREMENTS An adjudicated composite outcome of 30-day SAEs, including death and cardiac (arrhythmic and nonarrhythmic) and noncardiac events. RESULTS Of 1452 patients enrolled, 152 (10.5% [95% CI, 9.0% to 12.1%]) had 30-day SAEs, 57 (3.9%) of which were identified after the index ED disposition. Serum NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher among patients with SAEs than those without them (median, 626.5 ng/L vs. 81 ng/L; P < 0.001). Adding NT-proBNP values to the CSRS did not significantly improve prognostication (c-statistic, 0.89 and 0.90; P = 0.12 for difference), regardless of SAE subgroup or whether the SAE was identified after the index ED visit. The net reclassification index shows that NT-proBNP would have correctly reclassified 3% of patients with SAEs at the expense of incorrectly reclassifying 2% of patients without SAEs. LIMITATIONS Our study was powered to detect a 3% difference in the area under the curve. The heterogeneity of outcomes and robust baseline discrimination by the CSRS will make improvements challenging. CONCLUSION Although serum NT-proBNP concentrations were generally much higher among ED patients with syncope who had a 30-day SAE, this blood test added little new information to the CSRS. Routine use of NT-proBNP for ED syncope prognostication is not recommended. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Physicians' Services Incorporated Foundation, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and The Ottawa Hospital Academic Medical Organization.
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Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Sivilotti MLA, Le Sage N, Yan JW, Huang P, Hegdekar M, Mercier E, Mukarram M, Nemnom MJ, McRae AD, Rowe BH, Stiell IG, Wells GA, Krahn AD, Taljaard M. Multicenter Emergency Department Validation of the Canadian Syncope Risk Score. JAMA Intern Med 2020; 180:737-744. [PMID: 32202605 PMCID: PMC7091474 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.0288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The management of patients with syncope in the emergency department (ED) is challenging because no robust risk tool available has been recommended for clinical use. OBJECTIVE To validate the Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS) in a new cohort of patients with syncope to determine its ability to predict 30-day serious outcomes not evident during index ED evaluation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This prospective multicenter cohort study conducted at 9 EDs across Canada included patients 16 years and older who presented to EDs within 24 hours of syncope. Patients were enrolled from March 2014 to April 2018. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Baseline characteristics, CSRS predictors, and 30-day adjudicated serious outcomes, including arrhythmic (arrhythmias, interventions for arrhythmia, or unknown cause of death) and nonarrhythmic (myocardial infarction, structural heart disease, pulmonary embolism, or hemorrhage) serious outcomes, were collected. Calibration and discrimination characteristics for CSRS validation were calculated. RESULTS A total of 3819 patients were included (mean [SD] age 53.9 [22.8] years; 2088 [54.7%] female), of whom 139 (3.6%) experienced 30-day serious outcomes, including 13 patients (0.3%) who died. In the validation cohort, there were no differences between the predicted and observed risk, the calibration slope was 1.0, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88-0.93). The empirical probability of a 30-day serious outcome during validation was 3.64% (95% CI, 3.09%-4.28%) compared with the model-predicted probability of 3.17% (95% CI, 2.66%-3.77%; P = .26). The proportion of patients with 30-day serious outcomes increased from 3 of 1631 (0.3%) in the very-low-risk group to 40 of 78 (51.3%) in the very-high-risk group (Cochran-Armitage trend test P < .001). There was a similar significant increase in the serious outcome subtypes with increasing CSRS risk category. None of the very-low-risk and low-risk patients died or experienced ventricular arrhythmia. At a threshold score of -1 (2145 of 3819 patients), the CSRS sensitivity and specificity were 97.8% (95% CI, 93.8%-99.6%) and 44.3% (95% CI, 42.7%-45.9%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The CSRS was successfully validated and its use is recommended to guide ED management of patients when serious causes are not identified during index ED evaluation. Very-low-risk and low-risk patients can generally be discharged, while brief hospitalization can be considered for high-risk patients. We believe CSRS implementation has the potential to improve patient safety and health care efficiency.
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Stiell IG, Sivilotti MLA, Taljaard M, Birnie D, Vadeboncoeur A, Hohl CM, McRae AD, Rowe BH, Brison RJ, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Macle L, Borgundvaag B, Morris J, Mercier E, Clement CM, Brinkhurst J, Sheehan C, Brown E, Nemnom MJ, Wells GA, Perry JJ. Electrical versus pharmacological cardioversion for emergency department patients with acute atrial fibrillation (RAFF2): a partial factorial randomised trial. Lancet 2020; 395:339-349. [PMID: 32007169 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)32994-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute atrial fibrillation is the most common arrythmia treated in the emergency department. Our primary aim was to compare conversion to sinus rhythm between pharmacological cardioversion followed by electrical cardioversion (drug-shock), and electrical cardioversion alone (shock-only). Our secondary aim was to compare the effectiveness of two pad positions for electrical cardioversion. METHODS We did a partial factorial trial of two protocols for patients with acute atrial fibrillation at 11 academic hospital emergency departments in Canada. We enrolled adult patients with acute atrial fibrillation. Protocol 1 was a randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled comparison of attempted pharmacological cardioversion with intravenous procainamide (15 mg/kg over 30 min) followed by electrical cardioversion if necessary (up to three shocks, each of ≥200 J), and placebo infusion followed by electrical cardioversion. For patients having electrical cardioversion, we used Protocol 2, a randomised, open-label, nested comparison of anteroposterior versus anterolateral pad positions. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1, stratified by study site) for Protocol 1 by on-site research personnel using an online electronic data capture system. Randomisation for Protocol 2 occurred 30 min after drug infusion for patients who had not converted and was stratified by site and Protocol 1 allocation. Patients and all research and emergency department staff were masked to treatment allocation for Protocol 1. The primary outcome was conversion to normal sinus rhythm for at least 30 min at any time after randomisation and up to a point immediately after three shocks. Protocol 1 was analysed by intention to treat and Protocol 2 excluded patients who did not receive electrical cardioversion. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01891058. FINDINGS Between July 18, 2013, and Oct 17, 2018, we enrolled 396 patients, and none were lost to follow-up. In the drug-shock group (n=204), conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 196 (96%) patients and in the shock-only group (n=192), conversion occurred in 176 (92%) patients (absolute difference 4%; 95% CI 0-9; p=0·07). The proportion of patients discharged home was 97% (n=198) versus 95% (n=183; p=0·60). 106 (52%) patients in the drug-shock group converted after drug infusion only. No patients had serious adverse events in follow-up. The different pad positions in Protocol 2 (n=244), had similar conversions to sinus rhythm (119 [94%] of 127 in anterolateral group vs 108 [92%] of 117 in anteroposterior group; p=0·68). INTERPRETATION Both the drug-shock and shock-only strategies were highly effective, rapid, and safe in restoring sinus rhythm for patients in the emergency department with acute atrial fibrillation, avoiding the need for return to hospital. The drug infusion worked for about half of patients and avoided the resource intensive procedural sedation required for electrical cardioversion. We also found no significant difference between the anterolateral and anteroposterior pad positions for electrical cardioversion. Immediate rhythm control for patients in the emergency department with acute atrial fibrillation leads to excellent outcomes. FUNDING Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
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Stiell IG, Perry JJ, Clement CM, Brison RJ, Rowe BH, Aaron SD, McRae AD, Borgundvaag B, Calder LA, Forster AJ, Brinkhurst J, Wells GA. Clinical validation of a risk scale for serious outcomes among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease managed in the emergency department. CMAJ 2019; 190:E1406-E1413. [PMID: 30510045 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.180232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Ottawa chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Risk Scale (OCRS), which consists of 10 criteria, was previously derived to identify patients in the emergency department with COPD who were at high risk for short-term serious outcomes. We sought to validate, prospectively and explicitly, the OCRS when applied by physicians in the emergency department. METHODS We conducted this prospective cohort study involving patients in the emergency departments at 6 tertiary care hospitals and enrolled adults with acute exacerbation of COPD from May 2011 to December 2013. Physicians evaluated patients for the OCRS criteria, which were recorded on a data form along with the total risk score. We followed patients for 30 days and the primary outcome, short-term serious outcomes, was defined as any of death, admission to monitored unit, intubation, noninvasive ventilation, myocardial infarction (MI) or relapse with hospital admission. RESULTS We enrolled 1415 patients with a mean age of 70.6 (SD 10.6) years and 50.2% were female. Short-term serious outcomes occurred in 135 (9.5%) cases. Incidence of short-term serious outcomes ranged from 4.6% for a total score of 0 to 100% for a score of 10. Compared with current practice, an OCRS score threshold of greater than 1 would increase sensitivity for short-term serious outcomes from 51.9% to 79.3% and increase admissions from 45.0% to 56.6%. A threshold of greater than 2 would improve sensitivity to 71.9% with 47.9% of patients being admitted. INTERPRETATION In this clinical validation of a risk-stratification tool for COPD in the emergency department, we found that OCRS showed better sensitivity for short-term serious outcomes compared with current practice. This risk scale can now be used to help emergency department disposition decisions for patients with COPD, which should lead to a decrease in unnecessary admissions and in unsafe discharges.
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Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Rowe BH, Sivilotti MLA, McRae AD, Arcot K, Nemnom MJ, Huang L, Mukarram M, Krahn AD, Wells GA, Taljaard M. Response by Thiruganasambandamoorthy et al to Letters Regarding Article, "Duration of Electrocardiographic Monitoring of Emergency Department Patients With Syncope". Circulation 2019; 140:e655-e656. [PMID: 31525105 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.119.041639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Andruchow JE, Boyne T, Innes G, Vatanpour S, Seiden-Long I, Wang D, Lang E, McRae AD. Low High-Sensitivity Troponin Thresholds Identify Low-Risk Patients With Chest Pain Unlikely to Benefit From Further Risk Stratification. CJC Open 2019; 1:289-296. [PMID: 32159123 PMCID: PMC7063640 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjco.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Very low high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) thresholds on presentation can rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but the ability to identify patients at low risk of 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) is less clear. This study examines the sensitivity of low concentrations of hs-cTnT on presentation to rule out 30-day MACE. Methods This prospective cohort study enrolled patients with chest pain presenting to the emergency department with nonischemic electrocardiograms who underwent AMI rule-out with an hs-cTnT assay. The primary outcome was 30-day MACE; secondary outcomes were individual MACE components. Because guidelines recommend using a single hs-cTnT strategy only for patients with more than 3 hours since symptom onset, a subgroup analysis was performed for this population. Outcomes were adjudicated on the basis of review of medical records and telephone follow-up. Results Of 1167 patients enrolled, 125 (10.7%) experienced 30-day MACE and 97 (8.3%) had AMI on the index visit. More than one-third of patients (35.6%) had presenting hs-cTnT concentrations below the limit of detection (5 ng/L), which was 94.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.8-97.7) sensitive for 30-day MACE and 99.0% (95% CI, 94.5-100) sensitive for index AMI. Of 292 patients (25.0%) with hs-cTnT < 5 ng/L and at least 3 hours since symptom onset, only 3 experienced 30-day MACE (sensitivity 97.6%; 95% CI, 93.2-100) and none had AMI within 30 days (sensitivity 100%; 95% CI, 96.3-100). Conclusions Among patients with nonischemic electrocardiograms and > 3 hours since symptom onset, low hs-cTnT thresholds on presentation confer a very low risk of 30-day MACE. In the absence of a high-risk clinical presentation, further risk stratification is likely to be low yield.
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Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Rowe BH, Sivilotti ML, McRae AD, Arcot K, Nemnom MJ, Huang L, Mukarram M, Krahn AD, Wells GA, Taljaard M. Duration of Electrocardiographic Monitoring of Emergency Department Patients With Syncope. Circulation 2019; 139:1396-1406. [DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.118.036088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Sivilotti MLA, Rowe BH, McRae AD, Mukarram M, Malveau S, Yagapen AN, Sun BC. Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism Among Emergency Department Patients With Syncope: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study. Ann Emerg Med 2019; 73:500-510. [PMID: 30691921 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE The prevalence of pulmonary embolism among patients with syncope is understudied. In accordance with a recent study with an exceptionally high pulmonary embolism prevalence, some advocate evaluating all syncope patients for pulmonary embolism, including those with another clear cause for their syncope. We seek to evaluate the pulmonary embolism prevalence among emergency department (ED) patients with syncope. METHODS We combined data from 2 large prospective studies enrolling adults with syncope from 17 EDs in Canada and the United States. Each study collected the results of pulmonary embolism-related investigations (ie, D-dimer, ventilation-perfusion scan, or computed tomography [CT] pulmonary angiography) and 30-day adjudicated outcomes: pulmonary embolism or nonpulmonary embolism outcome (arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, serious hemorrhage, and death). RESULTS Of the 9,374 patients enrolled, 9,091 (97.0%; median age 66 years, 51.9% women) with 30-day follow-up were analyzed: 547 (6.0%) were evaluated for pulmonary embolism (278 [3.1%] had D-dimer, 39 [0.4%] had ventilation-perfusion scan, and 347 [3.8%] had CT pulmonary angiography). Overall, 874 patients (9.6%) experienced 30-day serious outcomes: 818 patients (9.0%) with nonpulmonary embolism serious outcomes and 56 (prevalence 0.6%; 95% confidence interval 0.5% to 0.8%) with pulmonary embolism (including 8 [0.2%] out of 3521 patients diagnosed during the index hospitalization and 7 [0.1%] diagnosed after the index visit). Eighty-six patients (0.9%) died, and 4 deaths (0.04%) were related to pulmonary embolism. Only 11 patients (0.1%) with a nonpulmonary embolism serious condition had a concomitant pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION The prevalence of pulmonary embolism is very low among ED patients with syncope, including those hospitalized after syncope. Although an underlying pulmonary embolism may cause syncope, clinicians should be cautious about indiscriminate investigations for pulmonary embolism.
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Kavsak PA, Andruchow JE, McRae AD, Worster A. Profile of Roche’s Elecsys Troponin T Gen 5 STAT blood test (a high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assay) for diagnosing myocardial infarction in the emergency department. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2018; 18:481-489. [DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2018.1476141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Kavsak PA, Worster A, Shortt C, Ma J, Clayton N, Sherbino J, Hill SA, McQueen M, Griffith LE, Mehta SR, McRae AD, Devereaux PJ. Performance of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin in the emergency department for myocardial infarction and a composite cardiac outcome across different estimated glomerular filtration rates. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 479:166-170. [PMID: 29366835 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinicians regularly observe increased high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) concentrations in patients with low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The challenge is to differentiate acute coronary syndrome (ACS) from increased hs-cTn results across a range of eGFR. The objective of this study was to determined the optimal hs-cTn concentrations for acute myocardial infarction (MI) and a composite cardiovascular outcome across different eGFR ranges and to assess the utility of a low hs-cTn cutoff to rule-out events. METHODS We undertook an observational study in the emergency department of patients (n = 1212) with symptoms suggestive of ACS who had an eGFR and at least one Roche hs-cTnT and one Abbott hs-cTnI result. The 7-day outcomes were MI or a composite of MI, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, serious ventricular cardiac arrhythmia, or death. The maximum hs-cTn concentration was assessed across different eGFR ranges (<30,30-59,60-89,≥90 ml/min/1.73m2) by spearman correlation, ROC-curve analyses, and sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) for the proposed rule-out hs-cTn cutoffs (hs-cTnI<5 ng/l and hs-cTnT<6 ng/l) for the outcomes. RESULTS Both hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT concentrations were negatively correlated with eGFR. The lower the eGFR, the lower the AUC and the higher the optimal hs-cTn cutoffs for both MI and the composite outcome. The highest combined sensitivity (100%), NPV (100%) and proportion of low-risk for MI (45% of group) was observed for patients with hs-cTnT<6 ng/l with an eGFR≥90. CONCLUSION The test performance for hs-cTn for diagnosing or ruling-out an acute cardiac event varies per the eGFR. Accurate risk stratification requires knowledge of the eGFR.
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Michaud AM, Parker SIA, Ganshorn H, Ezekowitz JA, McRae AD. Prediction of Early Adverse Events in Emergency Department Patients With Acute Heart Failure: A Systematic Review. Can J Cardiol 2018; 34:168-179. [PMID: 29287944 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute heart failure (AHF) accounts for a substantial proportion of Emergency Department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Previous studies have shown that emergency physicians' clinical gestalt is not sufficient to stratify patients with AHF into severe and requiring hospitalization vs nonsevere and safe to be discharged. Various prognostic algorithms have been developed to risk-stratify patients with AHF, however there is no consensus as to the best-performing risk assessment tool in the ED. METHODS A systematic review of Medline, PubMed, and Embase up to May 2016 was conducted using established methods. Major cardiology and emergency medicine conference proceedings from 2010 to 2016 were also screened. Two independent reviewers identified studies that evaluated clinical risk scores in adult (ED) patients with AHF, with risk prognostication for mortality or significant morbidity within 7-30 days. Studies included patients who were discharged or admitted. RESULTS The systematic review search generated 2950 titles that were screened according to title and abstract. Nine articles, describing 6 risk prediction tools met full inclusion criteria, however, prognostic performance and ease of bedside application is limited for most. Because of clinical heterogeneity in the prognostic tools and study outcomes, a meta-analysis was not performed. CONCLUSIONS Several risk scores exist for predicting short-term mortality or morbidity in ED patients with AHF. No single risk tool is clearly superior, however, the Emergency Heart Failure Mortality Risk Grade might aid in prognostication of mortality and the Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Score might provide useful prognostic information in patients suitable for ED discharge.
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Andruchow JE, Kavsak PA, McRae AD. Contemporary Emergency Department Management of Patients with Chest Pain: A Concise Review and Guide for the High-Sensitivity Troponin Era. Can J Cardiol 2017; 34:98-108. [PMID: 29407013 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2017.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This article synthesizes current best evidence for the evaluation of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using high-sensitivity troponin assays, enabling physicians to effectively incorporate them into practice. Unlike conventional assays, high-sensitivity assays can precisely measure blood cardiac troponin concentrations in the vast majority of healthy individuals, facilitating the creation of rapid diagnostic algorithms. Very low troponin concentrations on presentation accurately rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and enable the discharge of approximately 20% of patients after a single test, whereas an additional 30%-40% of patients can be safely discharged after short-interval serial sampling in as little as 1 or 2 hours. In contrast, highly abnormal troponin concentrations on presentation (more than 5 times the upper reference limit) or rapidly rising levels on serial testing can rapidly rule in AMI with high specificity. However, approximately one-third of patients remain in a biomarker-indeterminate "observation zone" even after serial sampling. These patients pose a disposition challenge to clinicians because although the differential diagnosis of elevated troponin concentrations is broad, these patients have an increased risk for short-term major adverse cardiac events. Use of repeated serial troponin sampling and structured clinical prediction tools may assist disposition for these patients, because no validated pathways currently exist to guide clinicians. Ongoing research to tailor diagnostic thresholds to individual patient characteristics may enable improved diagnostic accuracy and usher in a new era of personalized medicine in the evaluation of suspected ACS.
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Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Stiell IG, Sivilotti MLA, Rowe BH, Mukarram M, Arcot K, Kwong K, McRae AD, Wells GA, Taljaard M. Predicting Short-term Risk of Arrhythmia among Patients With Syncope: The Canadian Syncope Arrhythmia Risk Score. Acad Emerg Med 2017; 24:1315-1326. [PMID: 28791782 DOI: 10.1111/acem.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syncope can be caused by serious occult arrhythmias not evident during initial emergency department (ED) evaluation. We sought to develop a risk tool for predicting 30-day arrhythmia or death after ED disposition. METHODS We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study at six tertiary care EDs and included adults (≥16 years) with syncope. We collected standardized variables from clinical evaluation and investigations including electrocardiogram and troponin at index presentation. Adjudicated outcomes included death or arrhythmias including procedural interventions for arrhythmia within 30 days. We used multivariable logistic regression to derive the prediction model and bootstrapping for interval validation to estimate shrinkage and optimism. RESULTS A total of 5,010 patients (mean ± SD age = 53.4 ± 23.0 years, 54.8% females, and 9.5% hospitalized) were enrolled with 106 (2.1%) patients suffering 30-day arrhythmia/death after ED disposition. We examined 39 variables and eight were included in the final model: lack of vasovagal predisposition, heart disease, any ED systolic blood pressure < 90 or > 180 mm Hg, troponin (>99th percentile), QRS duration > 130 msec, QTc interval > 480 msec, and ED diagnosis of cardiac/vasovagal syncope (optimism corrected C-statistic 0.90 [95% CI = 0.87-0.93]; Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.08). The Canadian Syncope Arrhythmia Risk Score had a risk ranging from 0.2% to 74.5% for scores of -2 to 8. At a threshold score of ≥0, the sensitivity was 97.1% (95% CI = 91.6%-99.4%) and specificity was 53.4% (95% CI = 52.0%-54.9%). CONCLUSIONS The Canadian Syncope Arrhythmia Risk Score can improve patient safety by identification of those at risk for arrhythmias and aid in acute management decisions. Once validated, the score can identify low-risk patients who will require no further investigations.
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McRae AD, Innes G, Graham M, Lang E, Andruchow JE, Ji Y, Vatanpour S, Abedin T, Yang H, Southern DA, Wang D, Seiden‐Long I, DeKoning L, Kavsak P. Undetectable Concentrations of a Food and Drug Administration-approved High-sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T Assay to Rule Out Acute Myocardial Infarction at Emergency Department Arrival. Acad Emerg Med 2017; 24:1267-1277. [PMID: 28544100 PMCID: PMC5656889 DOI: 10.1111/acem.13229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to quantify the sensitivity of very low concentrations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hsTnT) at ED arrival for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a large cohort of chest pain patients evaluated in real-world clinical practice. METHODS This retrospective study included consecutive ED patients with suspected cardiac chest pain evaluated in four urban EDs, excluding those with ST-elevation AMI, cardiac arrest or abnormal kidney function. The primary outcomes were AMI at 7, 30, and 90 days. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiac events (MACE; all-cause mortality, AMI, and revascularization) and the individual MACE components. Test characteristics were calculated for hsTnT values from 3 to 200 ng/L . RESULTS A total of 7,130 patients met inclusion criteria. AMI incidences at 7, 30, and 90 days were 5.8, 6.0, and 6.2%. When the hsTnT assay was performed at ED arrival, the limit of blank of the assay (3 ng/L) ruled out 7-day AMI in 15.5% of patients with 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV). The limit of detection of the assay (5 ng/L) ruled out AMI in 33.6% of patients with 99.8% sensitivity and 99.95% NPV for 7-day AMI. The limit of quantification (the Food and Drug Administration [FDA]-approved cutoff for lower the reportable limit) of 6 ng/L ruled out AMI in 42.2% of patients with 99.8% sensitivity and 99.95% NPV. The sensitivities of the cutoffs of <3, <5, and <6 ng/L for 7-day MACE were 99.6, 97.4, and 96.6%, respectively. The NPVs of the cutoffs of <3, <5, and <6 ng/L for 7-day MACE were 99.8, 99.5, and 99.4%, respectively. A secondary analysis was performed in a subgroup of 3,549 higher-risk patients who underwent serial troponin testing. In this subgroup, a cutoff of 3 ng/L ruled out 7-day AMI in 9.6% of patients with 100% sensitivity and NPV, a cutoff of 5 ng/L ruled out 7-day AMI in 23.3% of patients with 99.7% sensitivity and 99.9% NPV, and a cutoff of 6 ng/L ruled out 7-day AMI in 29.8% of patients with 99.7 and 99.9% NPV. In the higher-risk subgroup, the sensitivities of cutoffs of <3, <5, and <6 ng/L for 7-day MACE were 99.8, 97.4, and 96.6%, respectively. In this higher-risk subgroup, the NPV of cutoffs of <3, <5, and <6 ng/L for 7-day MACE were 99.7, 98.5, and 98.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS When used in real-world clinical practice conditions, hsTnT concentrations < 6 ng/L (below the lower reportable limit for an FDA-approved assay) at the time of ED arrival can rule out AMI with very high sensitivity and NPV. The sensitivity for MACE is unacceptably low, and thus a single-troponin rule-out strategy should only be used in the context of a structured risk evaluation.
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Yu AYX, Quan H, McRae AD, Wagner GO, Hill MD, Coutts SB. A cohort study on physician documentation and the accuracy of administrative data coding to improve passive surveillance of transient ischaemic attacks. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e015234. [PMID: 28674141 PMCID: PMC5734423 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Administrative health data are valuable in health research and disease surveillance, but have low to moderate sensitivity in identifying transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) in the emergency department (ED). We aimed to identify the predictors of coding accuracy for TIA. METHODS The study population was obtained from two ongoing studies on the diagnosis of TIA, minor stroke and stroke mimic. ED charts were manually reviewed by a stroke neurologist to obtain the clinical diagnosis, patient characteristics and content of physician documentation. Administrative data codes were compared with the chart-adjudicated diagnosis to determine cases of misclassification by administrative data. Univariable regression was used to evaluate candidate predictors of disagreement, and the significant variables were tested in a multivariable model to obtain an adjusted estimate of effect. RESULTS Among 417 patients (39.1% TIA, 37.2% minor stroke and 23.7% stroke mimics), there were 122 cases of disagreement between adjudications and administrative data codes for the diagnosis of TIA. The majority of disagreement (n=103/122, 84.4%) arose from adjudicated TIA cases that were misclassified as non-TIA in administrative data coding. There were 78 (18.7%) charts with documented uncertain diagnosis, and 73 (17.5%) charts had no definite diagnosis. The relative risk of disagreement between chart adjudication and administrative data coding when the final diagnosis was uncertain or absent was 1.82(1.36, 2.44) and the risk difference was 18.5%. Multivariable logistic regression analyses confirmed this association using different case definition algorithms. CONCLUSIONS In suspected patients with TIA and minor stroke presenting to the ED, physician documentation was the dominant factor in coding accuracy, supporting the concept that physicians are active participants in administrative data coding. Strategies to improve chart documentation are predicted to have a positive effect on coding accuracy.
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McRae AD, Innes G, Graham M, Lang E, Andruchow JE, Yang H, Ji Y, Vatanpour S, Southern DA, Wang D, Seiden-Long I, DeKoning L, Kavsak P. Comparative Evaluation of 2-Hour Rapid Diagnostic Algorithms for Acute Myocardial Infarction Using High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T. Can J Cardiol 2017; 33:1006-1012. [PMID: 28669701 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Symptoms of acute coronary syndrome account for a large proportion of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. High-sensitivity troponin can rapidly rule out or rule in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) within a short time of ED arrival. We sought to validate test characteristics and classification performance of 2-hour high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) algorithms for the rapid diagnosis of AMI. METHODS We included consecutive patients from 4 academic EDs with suspected cardiac chest pain who had hsTnT assays performed 2 hours apart (± 30 minutes) as part of routine care. The primary outcome was AMI at 7 days. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiac events (mortality, AMI, and revascularization). Test characteristics and classification performance for multiple 2-hour algorithms were quantified. RESULTS Seven hundred twenty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Seven-day AMI incidence was 10.9% and major adverse cardiac event incidence was 13.7%. A 2-hour rule-out algorithm proposed by Reichlin and colleagues ruled out AMI in 59.4% of patients with 98.7% sensitivity and 99.8% negative predictive value (NPV). The 2-hour rule-out algorithm proposed by the United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ruled out AMI in 50.3% of patients with similar sensitivity and NPV. Other exploratory algorithms had similar sensitivity but marginally better classification performance. According to Reichlin et al., the 2-hour rule-in algorithm ruled in AMI in 16.5% of patients with 92.4% specificity and 58.5% positive predictive value. CONCLUSIONS Two-hour hsTnT algorithms can rule out AMI with very high sensitivity and NPV. The algorithm developed by Reichlin et al. had superior classification performance. Reichlin and colleagues' 2-hour rule-in algorithm had poor positive predictive value and might not be suitable for early rule-in decision-making.
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