Outcome of low-risk patients discharged home after a normal cardiac troponin I

J Emerg Med. 2004 May;26(4):401-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2003.12.021.

Abstract

Patients with symptoms suggestive of, but at low risk for, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), who have a negative electrocardiogram (EKG) and a single normal troponin I at 6-9 h after symptom onset are frequently discharged from our Emergency Department (ED). We sought to determine their rate of adverse cardiac events at 30 days (ACE-30), defined as cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI), by chart review, telephone interview, or county death records. Of 663 patients, data were available for 588 (89%). Mean age was 48 years; 59% were male. There were 390 patients (66%) who complained of chest pain. Previous coronary artery disease (CAD) was reported in 145 patients (25%). Two patients (0.34%) had ACE-30, both with non-ST elevation MI. There were no cases of cardiac death. None of the patients died in Hennepin County within 30 days. At our institution, low-risk patients with symptoms suggestive of ACS who are discharged home after a normal cTnI drawn 6-9 h after symptom onset have a very low incidence of cardiac events at 30 days.

MeSH terms

  • Angina, Unstable / diagnosis*
  • Chest Pain / blood*
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Electrocardiography
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Minnesota
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Syndrome
  • Troponin I / blood*

Substances

  • Troponin I