Title: The HEART Score<br/>Author: Semhar Tewelde<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/352/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
<u>The HEART Score</u></p>
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Acute coronary syndrome defines a spectrum of diseases (unstable angina, NSTEMI, STEMI), without clear ECG abnormalities the diagnosis and disposition can be challenging</p>
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Several scoring systems have attempted to risk stratify patients: TIMI, PURSUIT, and GRACE</p>
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The TIMI & PURSUIT scores were designed to identify higher-risk patients and long-term mortality</p>
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A pilot/observational study has utilized a novel scoring system to risk stratify low to intermediate risk patients</p>
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The HEART (History, ECG, Age, Risk factors and Troponin) score: </p>
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0-3 points ~ 2.5% risk (data supporting discharge)</li>
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4-6 points ~20.3% risk (data supporting observation)</li>
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≥7points ~ 72.7% risk (data supporting early invasive strategies)</li>
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This scoring system is limited given the small study size and requires further study/validation, but may be an easy, quick, and reliable predictor of outcome in chest pain patients</p>
<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
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Six AJ, Backus BE, Kelder JC. Chest pain in the emergency room: value of the HEART score. Neth Heart J. Jun 2008; 16(6): 191–196.</p>
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