Validation of an Accelerated Diagnostic Protocol for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Patients with Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people have a high burden of cardiovascular disease. Observed rates of major coronary events are seven to nine times higher in people aged < 45 years for this population when compared with non-Indigenous Australians. The Improved Assessment of Chest Pain Trial (ImpACT) protocol is an evidenced-based ADP, which combines sensitive troponin testing, objective testing and clinical criteria, including age, to identify patients at high, intermediate or low risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The Accelerated Chest Pain Risk Evaluation (ACRE) project is currently implementing the ImpACT protocol into public hospitals across Queensland. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients were under-represented in the original ImpACT study.