The HEART Score Is Safe to Use in the Emergency Department

But it will only be effective if we follow its recommendations.

The HEART score — based on History, Electrocardiogram, Age, Risk factors, and Troponin level — provides risk stratification and disposition recommendations (inpatient admission, observation, or discharge) for emergency department (ED) patients presenting with chest pain. It has been externally validated and is used by some hospitals as part of their risk-stratification algorithms. However, its effect on use of healthcare resources is not known.

In a Dutch study, nine EDs switched from usual care to use of the HEART score in random order. Discharged patients were followed up with troponin testing the same or next day. The primary outcome was incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 6 weeks. Adherence with the score's recommenda…

Reviewing Author

Ali S. Raja, MD, MBA, MPH

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Board Member); American College of Healthcare Executives – Massachusetts (Board Member)

Ali S. Raja, MD, MBA, MPH

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Board Member); American College of Healthcare Executives – Massachusetts (Board Member)

The HEART Score Is Safe to Use in the Emergency Department

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Reviewing Author