Annual Evidence Update on Chest Pain: 23-27 February 2009

An update of the evidence on this topic from the NLH Cardiovascular Diseases Specialist Library.

The Chest Pain annual evidence update (AEU) 2009 updates the previous AEU published in February 2007.

Chest pain is a common reason for patients seeking healthcare, often as an emergency. But not all chest pain is cardiac in origin, and (for example) the proportion of patients calling for an ambulance with chest pain who have proven heart attack is low – less than 10% in some studies. We have identified key systematic reviews and related documents to support clinicians and commissioners in identifying the best available, current evidence on this topic. NICE are due to publish guidance on chest pain in December 2009.

The Update includes commentaries from an Expert Group, chaired by our Clinical Lead, Professor Tom Quinn, from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey.
Find out more at http://www.library.nhs.uk/cardiovascular/