Main Characteristics of Patients with Chest Pain in the Emergency Department

• Published in: Interciencia
• Main Authors: Sera Blanco, Richard Alexander, Fernandez Hernandez, Tania Maria, Khan Afridi, Arab, Yar Khalid, Asfand, Mary Sebastian, Princess, Tobin, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• ISSN: 0378-1844; 0378-1844
• DOI: 10.59671/Oi6f5

Background Chest pain is common among patients in emergency departments (EDs) worldwide, with significant implications for patient outcomes. This study aims to characterize patients presenting with non-cardiac and cardiac chest pain in the ED of The Cuban Hospital of Qatar. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study from September 1 to October 31, 2023, involving 131 patients with chest pain, excluding 13, resulting in a final sample of 118 patients. We compared non-cardiac (109 patients) and cardiac (9 patients) chest pain across various demographic and clinical variables. Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests, odds ratios, and confidence intervals with a significance level of 95%. Results Males constituted 78% of the study population, with a significant proportion (49.2%) under age 40. Cardiac chest pain was more common in the 40 to 60-year-old age group (88.9%) and among Southeast Asians (66.7%). Obesity (28.8%) and hypertension (27.1%) were the most common risk factors. Non-cardiac chest pain predominated in cases without electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities (93.6%), while inverted T waves were most frequent in cardiac chest pain (55.6%). Most patients (93.2%) were discharged, with a higher admission rate for cardiac chest pain (44.4%).