title: A practical approach with outcome for the prognostic assessment of non-ST-segment elevation chest pain and normal troponin.
abstract: Patients with non-ST-elevation chest pain constitute a heterogeneous population. Our aim is to compare the outcome of patients with chest pain, non-ST-segment deviation, and normal troponin, categorized using a risk score, with that of patients with ST depression or troponin increase. A total of 1,449 patients with non-ST-elevation chest pain were evaluated. A validated risk score (using pain characteristics and risk factors) was applied to patients without ST depression or troponin increase. Accordingly, 4 risk categories were defined: group 1, no troponin increase, no ST depression, and risk score <3 points (n = 633); group 2, no troponin increase, no ST depression, but risk score > or = 3 points (n = 158); group 3, no troponin increase, ST depression (n = 106); and group 4, troponin increase (n = 552). Median follow-up was 26 months, and the end point was death or myocardial infarction. Group 1 experienced fewer events at 30 days (1.7%, p = 0.0001) and long-term follow-up (9.4%, p = 0.0001) than groups 2 (10.8% and 26%), 3 (6.6% and 30%), and 4 (9.5% and 25%). Kaplan-Meier curves overlapped among groups 2, 3, and 4, whereas group 1 showed a flatter curve (p = 0.0001). Using multivariate analysis, risk group (group 1 vs remaining groups) predicted 30-day (p = 0.0003) and long-term (p = 0.0001) outcome. There were no differences among groups 2, 3, and 4. In conclusion, application of a risk score to patients without troponin increase or ST deviation identified a high-risk group with prognosis similar to that of patients with troponin increase or ST depression and affords a practical classification for the full spectrum of non-ST-elevation chest pain.
authors.affiliation: Servei de Cardiologia, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Universitat de València, Barcelona, Spain. sanchis_juafor@gva.es
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchis
authors.forename: Vicent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bodí
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Núñez
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bertomeu-González
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Consuegra
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Santas
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Chorro
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Llàcer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014336:Troponin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014336:Troponin