Use of two-dimensional echocardiography in the emergency department

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) develops in fewer than one third of patients admitted to the coronary care unit from the emergency department (ED), suggesting that the current methods of assessing patients with chest pain are inefficient and cost ineffective. By using an alternate ED approach that includes a two-dimensional echocardiographic examination of patients without ST elevation, it may be possible to reduce hospital admissions and costs. Furthermore, echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular function in the ED significantly enhances risk stratification of AMI patients.