PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL MEDICINE (2022) David A. Morrow

Description

This chapter focuses on the evaluation and triage of nontraumatic acute chest discomfort, a common reason for emergency visits. It frames the diagnostic assessment around three categories: myocardial ischemia, other cardiopulmonary causes, and noncardiopulmonary causes. It discusses the epidemiology, emphasizing the relatively low percentage of patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the substantial resources devoted to investigation, while underscoring the risk associated with missed myocardial infarctions (MI).