Background: Although the value of fast diagnostic protocols in suspected acute coronary syndrome has been validated, there is insufficient real world evidence including patients with lower pre-test probability, atypical symptoms and confounding comorbidities. The feasibility, efficacy and safety of European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/1 and 0/3-hour algorithms using high-sensitivity troponin T were evaluated in a consecutive cohort with suspected acute coronary syndrome.
Methods: During 12 months, 2525 eligible patients were enrolled. In a pre-implementation period of 6 months, the prevalence of protocols, disposition, lengths of emergency department stay and treatments were registered. Implementation of the 0/1-hour protocol was monitored for another 6 months. Primary endpoints comprised the change of diagnostic protocols and 30-day mortality after direct discharge from the emergency department.
Results: Use of the ESC 0/1-hour algorithm increased by 270% at the cost of the standard 0/3-hour protocol. After rule-out (1588 patients), 1309 patients (76.1%) were discharged directly from the emergency department, with an all-cause mortality of 0.08% at 30 days (one death due to lung cancer). Median lengths of stay were 2.9 (1.9-3.8) and 3.2 (2.7-4.4) hours using a single high-sensitivity troponin T below the limit of detection (5 ng/L) at presentation and the ESC 0/1-hour algorithm, respectively, as compared to 5.3 (4.7-6.5) hours using the ESC 0/3-hour rule-out protocol (P<0.001). Discharge rates increased from 53.9% to 62.8% (P<0.001), without excessive use of diagnostic resources within 30 days.
Conclusion: Implementation of the ESC 0/1-hour algorithm is feasible and safe, is associated with shorter emergency department stay than the ESC 0/3-hour protocol, and an increase in discharge rates.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov , Unique identifier: NCT03111862.
Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; clinical protocols; high-sensitivity troponin; real world evidence.