Urgent Matters

The potentially devestating consequences of adverse cardiac events translate to many patients who are seen urgently in the emergency department during an episode of chest pain. A recent study investigated the short-term risk of an adverse cardiac event for patients presenting in the ED with chest pain. The results showed that for patients with a negative workup (normal blood work, good vital signs, normal EKG), adverse cardiac events were rare, suggesting that inpatient admission may not be the most beneficial for these patients. Dr. Michael Weinstock, the Emergency Department Chairman and Director of Medical Education at Mt. Carmel St. Ann's and a Professor of Emergency Medicine, Adjunct, at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, discusses this study and its implications for cardiac patients in the ED. Dr. Jesse Pines is the Director of the George Washington University Office for Clinical Practice Innovation and Urgent Matters and is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Health Policy. Visit our webs