National Heart Attack Alert Program Position Paper: Chest Pain Centers and Programs for the Evaluation of Acute Cardiac Ischemia

Byline: Robert J. Zalenski, Harry P. Selker, Christopher P. Cannon, Helke M. Farin, W.Brian Gibler, Robert J. Goldberg, Costas T. Lambrew, Joseph P. Ornato, Robert J. Rydman, Pamela Steele Abstract: The National Heart Attack Alert Program (NHAAP), which is coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), promotes the early detection and optimal treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction and other acute coronary ischemic syndromes. The NHAAP, having observed the development and growth of chest pain centers in emergency departments with special interest, created a task force to evaluate such centers and make recommendations pertaining to the management of patients with acute cardiac ischemia. This position paper offers recommendations to assist emergency physicians in EDs, including those with chest pain centers, in providing comprehensive care for patients with acute cardiac ischemia. [Zalenski RJ, Selker HP, Cannon CP, Farin HM, Gibler WB, Goldberg RJ, Lambrew CT, Ornato JP, Rydman RJ, Steele P. National Heart Attack Alert Program position paper: chest pain centers and programs for the evaluation of acute cardiac ischemia. Ann Emerg Med . May 2000;35:462-471.] Author Affiliation: National Heart Attack Alert Program, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. Article History: Received 16 September 1999; Accepted 6 October 1999 Article Note: (footnote) [star] See Appendix for affiliations, reviewers, and staff. , [star][star] Address for reprints: Mary M. Hand, MSPH, RN, National Heart Attack Alert Program, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 31, Room 4A16, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2480, Bethesda, MD 20892-2480; 301-594-2726, fax 301-402-1051; E-mail handm@nhlbi.nih.gov .