Randomized trial of computerized quantitative pretest probability in low-risk chest pain patients: effect on safety and resource use.

Study Objective: We hypothesize that the presentation of a quantitative pretest probability of acute coronary syndrome would safely reduce unnecessary resource use in low-risk emergency department (ED) chest pain patients.

Methods: Randomized controlled trial of adult patients with chest pain paired with their clinicians. Patients had neither obvious evidence of acute coronary syndrome nor obvious other reason for admission.

Comparison of 8 biomarkers for prediction of right ventricular hypokinesis 6 months after submassive pulmonary embolism.

Background: Elevated blood concentrations of troponin proteins or brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) worsen the prognosis of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Novel biomarkers that reflect mechanisms of right ventricle (RV) damage from PE may provide additional prognostic value. We compare the prognostic use of BNP, troponin I, D-dimer, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, matrix metalloproteinase, myeloperoxidase, C-reactive protein, and caspase 3 as biomarkers of RV damage and adverse outcomes in submassive PE.