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Objectives: Coronary computerized tomographic angiography (CTA) has high correlation with cardiac catheterization and has been shown to be safe and cost-effective when used for rapid evaluation of lowrisk chest pain patients from the emergency department (ED). The long-term outcome of patients discharged from the ED with negative coronary CTA has not been well studied. Methods:The authors prospectively evaluated consecutive low-to intermediate-risk patients who received coronary CTA in the ED for evaluation of a potential acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients with cocaine use, known cancer, and significant comorbidity reducing life expectancy and those found to have significant disease (stenosis ‡ 50% or ejection fraction < 30%) were excluded. Demographics, medical and cardiac history, labs, and electrocardiogram (ECG) results were collected. Patients were followed by telephone contact and record review for 1 year. The main outcome was 1-year cardiovascular death or nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Results: Of 588 patients who received coronary CTA in the ED, 481 met study criteria. They had a mean (±SD) age of 46.1 (±8.8) years, 63% were black or African American, and 60% were female. There were 53 patients (11%) rehospitalized and 51 patients (11%) who received further diagnostic testing (stress or catheterization) over the subsequent year. There was one death (0.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01% to 1.15%) with unclear etiology, no AMI (0%; 95% CI = 0 to 0.76%), and no revascularization procedures (0%; 95% CI = 0 to 0.76%) during this time period.Conclusions: Low-to intermediate-risk patients with a Thrombosis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score of 0 to 2 who present to the ED with potential ACS and have a negative coronary CTA have a very low likelihood of cardiovascular events over the ensuing year.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2009; 16:693-698 ª

This is the first prevalence estimate of DCN in Ireland. These data suggest diagnosis of DCN is missed in the acute phase. There exists a significant risk of diabetic foot ulceration and amputation with DCN.

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