CompletedNot Applicable

Advantageous Predictors of Acute Coronary Syndromes Evaluation (APACE) Study

Czechia, Italy, Poland10,000 participantsStarted 2006-04

Plain-language summary

The triage of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome in the emergency room is a time-consuming diagnostic challenge. Therefore high sensitive early markers for myocardial damage are needed for more rapidly rule out of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) - especially for the first 3 to 4 hours after onset of chest pain in AMI ("troponin-blind" period). Therefore we test the hypothesis that the use meticulous patient history and novel cardiac markers can provide a faster detection or exclusion of AMI in patients presenting with acute chest pain to the emergency department. The prospective cohort study is designed to enrol patients presenting with acute chest pain at rest within the last 12 hours to the emergency department. Several blood samples for detection of the new markers will be drawn and compared with the gold standard for the diagnosis of AMI (high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T). All patients will be contacted by telephone at 3, 12, 24 and 60 months to determine functional status, major adverse cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, percutaneous coronary intervention), and the results of cardiac examination (stress test, coronary angiography) if performed.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients presenting to the emergency department * Typical angina pectoris or other thoracic sensations that are suspected to be caused by myocardial ischemia * Symptoms at rest or minor exertion * Onset of symptoms within the last 12 hours prior to presentation * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 18 years * Cardiogenic shock * Terminal kidney disease requiring regular dialysis

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Diagnostic utility of various biomarkers, detailed patient's history and examination as well as ECG findings for the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction

Timeframe: at admission

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00470587

SponsorUniversity Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2025-03-02

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Myocardial Infarction trials