Could changing D-dimer thresholds reduce unnecessary CT pulmonary angiography? This 2012 journal club examines a retrospective study, questioning how patients were selected, how risk was assessed and whether small subgroups can support changes to investigation pathways.
JC Are we doing too many CTPAs? St.Emlyn’s Read More
How seriously should we take ST depression when the patient is now pain-free? This hypothetical cardiology case explores dynamic ECG changes, serial troponin results and clinical context, then reviews the 2012 evidence on when patients with NSTEMI should undergo coronary intervention.
Cardiology Case 02: ST depression, no rush? St.Emlyn’s Read More
This 2012 journal club compares prasugrel with clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes managed without revascularisation. Beyond the treatment comparison, it examines composite outcomes, all-cause mortality and confidence intervals, showing why the choice of endpoint can complicate interpretation of a clinical trial.
JC – Prasugrel vs Clopidogrel in ACS Read More
How do you act on an ECG suggesting STEMI when the rest of the presentation does not fit? This hypothetical cardiology case from 2012 combines altered consciousness, abdominal findings and no chest pain to explore competing diagnoses, bleeding risk and the urgency of reperfusion.
Could the ADAPT protocol identify chest-pain patients suitable for earlier discharge? This 2012 appraisal examines its combination of risk scoring and serial troponin testing, then questions symptom timing, external validation, assay choice and how many patients might actually avoid further investigation.
Low risk chest pain? ADAPT my management? Read More
What can bedside echocardiography contribute when aortic dissection is suspected? This 2012 journal club appraises a retrospective study of type A dissection, questioning patient selection, specialist expertise and whether results from a cardiac centre can support decisions in a general emergency department.
Aortic Dissection – The time bomb of doom Read More
Who with chest pain needs investigation for acute coronary syndrome? Rick Body’s 2012 discussion examines what symptoms and signs can—and cannot—tell us, challenges reliance on labels such as ‘atypical’, and explores the tension between avoiding missed diagnoses and reducing unnecessary admissions.
Acute Coronary Syndrome – Deciding Who To Investigate Read More
