Patients with chest pain suspected of a NSTE-ACS are screened by ambulance paramedics. The HEAR score (HEART score without the Troponin component) is assessed and patients with a HEAR score of ≤3 are included. The patients are randomised to 1) pre-hospital rule-out with POC troponin measurement (intervention group) and 2) direct transfer to the ED (standard care group). Primary outcome is healthcare costs after 30 days.
Patients with chest pain suspected for non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) are routinely transferred to the emergency department (ED). A point-of-care (POC) troponin measurement might enable ambulance paramedics to identify low-risk patients in whom ED evaluation is not necessary. The ARTICA trial aims to assess the healthcare cost reduction and safety of a pre-hospital rule-out strategy using a single POC troponin measurement.