What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Acute coronary syndrome (n=346). Intervention: Caller-reported symptoms. Primary outcome: Confirmed ACS diagnosis.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to enhance prehospital triage for acute coronary syndrome by examining symptom associations.

May 15, 2026Open Access

Optimizing emergency call assessments for acute coronary syndrome: insights from a retrospective analysis in Tyrol, Austria

Resultado clave

Caller-reported symptoms of radiating pain to the arm, neck, or jaw combined with diffuse chest pain and age 50-89 years were key predictors of confirmed ACS, which occurred in 21% of 346 calls.

Puntos clave

This study aims to enhance prehospital triage for acute coronary syndrome by examining symptom associations.
Retrospective analysis of emergency calls for suspected ACS between February and August 2021.
Correlation of reported symptoms with confirmed ACS diagnoses.
Calculation of positive predictive values (PPVs) and development of a classification tree.
Among 346 suspected ACS calls, 21% were confirmed as ACS.
Radiating pain to arm, neck, or jaw had higher PPVs, especially with diffuse chest pain in ages 50–89.
High adherence to dispatch protocols, with symptom radiation and pain description as key predictors.

Diseño del estudio

Tipo

Observational (n=346)

Multicéntrico

PICO estructurado

Do specific caller-reported symptoms predict confirmed ACS in adults with suspected ACS during emergency calls?

Población

346 adults with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) transported to the University Hospital Innsbruck following emergency calls between February and August 2021

Intervención

Prehospital triage based on caller-reported symptoms

Resultado

Confirmed ACS diagnosis

Caller-reported symptoms of radiating pain to the arm, neck, or jaw, especially with diffuse chest pain in older adults, are key predictors of confirmed ACS during emergency dispatch.

Limitaciones

Lack of sex-specific criteria

Resumen

Abstract Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, typically presenting with chest pain, pressure, or discomfort. Prompt recognition is crucial and medical dispatch systems must identify potential ACS cases based on caller-reported symptoms. This study examined the association between reported symptoms and confirmed ACS to improve prehospital triage. Methods This retrospective study examined emergency calls for suspected ACS among adults transported to the University Hospital Innsbruck between February and August 2021. Reported symptoms were correlated with confirmed diagnoses. Positive predictive values (PPVs) were calculated and a classification tree was developed. Results Of 346 suspected ACS calls, 21% were confirmed. Radiating pain to the arm, neck or jaw showed higher PPVs, especially when combined with diffuse chest pain and age 50–89 years. Point-focused or abdominal radiation was associated with non-ACS. Dispatch protocol adherence was high, with appropriate prioritization overall. Conclusion The dispatch algorithm showed moderate predictive accuracy. Symptom radiation and pain description were key predictors. Lack of sex-specific criteria warrants further improvement.

Preguntar a la IA

Me gusta

Guardar

Ver artículo completo

Cite This Study

Krösbacher et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Acute coronary syndrome (n=346). Caller-reported symptoms was evaluated on Confirmed ACS diagnosis. Caller-reported symptoms of radiating pain to the arm, neck, or jaw combined with diffuse chest pain and age 50-89 years were key predictors of confirmed ACS, which occurred in 21% of 346 calls.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a06b8dfe7dec685947ab6cd https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10049-026-01762-1

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

Preguntar a la IA

Me gusta

Guardar

Ver artículo completo