Duplex ultrasound in the emergency department for the diagnostic management of clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy and safety of an emergency duplex ultrasound (EDUS) evaluation performed by emergency physicians in the emergency department.

Methods: Consecutive adult patients suspected of having their first episode of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) presenting to the emergency department were included in the study. All examinations were performed by emergency physicians trained with a 30-hour ultrasound course.

Effectiveness of a multidisciplinary chest pain unit for the assessment of coronary syndromes and risk stratification in the Florence area.

Background: In patients seen at the emergency department (ED) with chest pain (CP), noninvasive diagnostic strategies may differentiate patients at high or intermediate risk from those at low-risk for cardiovascular events and optimize the use of high-cost resources. However, in welfare healthcare systems, the feasibility, accuracy, and potential benefits of such management strategy need further investigation.

Methods: A total of 13,762 consecutive patients with CP were screened, and their conditions were defined as high, intermediate, and low risk for short-term cardiovascular events.