PURPOSE: Patient gestures are thought to be useful in determining the etiology of chest discomfort. We sought to determine the utility of certain patient gestures in the diagnosis of ischemic chest discomfort or myocardial infarction. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of 202 patients admitted with chest discomfort. Patients were observed for the Levine Sign (clenched fist to the chest), the Palm Sign (palm of the hand to the chest), the Arm Sign (touching the left arm), and, as an indicator of nonischemic chest discomfort, the Pointing Sign (pointing with 1 finger). RESULTS: Prevalences of the Levine, Palm, Arm, and Pointing Signs were 11%, 35%, 16%, and 4%, respectively. Using troponin levels and results of functional studies and coronary angiograms as reference standards, none of the sensitivities of the signs exceeded 38%. Specificities of the Levine and Arm Signs ranged between 78% and 86%, but the positive predictive values did not exceed 55%. The Pointing Sign had a specificity of 98% for evidence of nonischemic chest discomfort, and the positive predictive value of a negative troponin was 88%. The diameter of discomfort significantly correlated with certain gestures. Larger chest pain diameters were associated with evidence of myocardial ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Although certain gestures are exhibited by patients presenting with chest discomfort, they generally have poor test characteristics. The Pointing Sign has a high specificity for nonischemic chest discomfort, but a low prevalence. The gestures may communicate the size of the chest discomfort, with larger areas suggestive of ischemia.
PURPOSE:Patient gestures are thought to be useful in determining the etiology of chest discomfort. We sought to determine the utility of certain patient gestures in the diagnosis of ischemic chest discomfort or myocardial infarction. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of 202 patients admitted with chest discomfort. Patients were observed for the Levine Sign (clenched fist to the chest), the Palm Sign (palm of the hand to the chest), the Arm Sign (touching the left arm), and, as an indicator of nonischemic chest discomfort, the Pointing Sign (pointing with 1 finger). RESULTS: Prevalences of the Levine, Palm, Arm, and Pointing Signs were 11%, 35%, 16%, and 4%, respectively. Using troponin levels and results of functional studies and coronary angiograms as reference standards, none of the sensitivities of the signs exceeded 38%. Specificities of the Levine and Arm Signs ranged between 78% and 86%, but the positive predictive values did not exceed 55%. The Pointing Sign had a specificity of 98% for evidence of nonischemic chest discomfort, and the positive predictive value of a negative troponin was 88%. The diameter of discomfort significantly correlated with certain gestures. Larger chest pain diameters were associated with evidence of myocardial ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Although certain gestures are exhibited by patients presenting with chest discomfort, they generally have poor test characteristics. The Pointing Sign has a high specificity for nonischemic chest discomfort, but a low prevalence. The gestures may communicate the size of the chest discomfort, with larger areas suggestive of ischemia.
Authors: Olaf von dem Knesebeck; Anke Hoehne; Carol Link; Lisa Marceau; Ann Adams; Martin Roland; Stephen Campbell; Johannes Siegrist; John McKinlay Journal: Patient Educ Couns Date: 2012-05-15
Authors: Markus Bönte; Olaf von dem Knesebeck; Johannes Siegrist; Lisa Marceau; Carol Link; Sara Arber; Ann Adams; John B McKinlay Journal: Womens Health Issues Date: 2008 May-Jun
Authors: Olaf von dem Knesebeck; Markus Bönte; Johannes Siegrist; Lisa Marceau; Carol Link; Sara Arber; Ann Adams; John McKinlay Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2008-09-29 Impact factor: 2.655