Association of cardiac events with coronary artery disease detected by 64-slice or greater coronary CT angiography: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The value of ≥64-slice coronary CT angiography (CCTA) to determine odds of cardiac death or non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) needs further clarification.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis using publications reporting events/severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with suspected CAD undergoing CCTA. Patients were divided into: no CAD, non-obstructive CAD (maximal stenosis <50%), and obstructive CAD (≥50% stenosis).

An algorithm for identification of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients by emergency medicine services.

Objective: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) identification by emergency medicine services (EMS) leading to pre-hospital catheterization laboratory (CL) activation shortens ischemic time and improves outcomes. We examined the incremental value of addition of a screening clinical tool (CT), containing clinical information and a Zoll electrocardiogram (ECG)-resident STEMI identification program (ZI) to ZI alone.

Methods: All EMS-performed and ZI-analyzed ECGs transmitted to a percutaneous coronary intervention hospital from October 2009 to January 2011 were reviewed for diagnostic accuracy.

Prognostic significance of troponin T elevation in patients without chest pain.

Increased cardiac troponin with chest pain is important for the diagnosis, triage, and treatment of patients in the emergency department. However, the use of troponin for the diagnosis and triage of patients without chest pain is poorly established. The aim of this study was to determine 30-day and 1-year mortality and morbidity of troponin T increases in patients without chest pain.