Alfonso Ilardi1, Giuseppe Caruso2, Ciro Rosario Ilardi3, Maria D'Avino4. 1. Pneumological Area Manager, FADOI-Campania, U.O.S.D. Detenuti, A.O.R.N. "Antonio Cardarelli", Naples, Italy. 2. U.O.C. Lungodegenza, A.O.R.N. "Antonio Cardarelli", Naples, Italy. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy. 4. President, FADOI-Campania, U.O.C. Lungodegenza, A.O.R.N. "Antonio Cardarelli", Naples, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To probe the reference biomarkers used to manage chest pain (CP) by Italian internists. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-seven doctors registered as members of the Federation of Associations of Hospital Doctors on Internal Medicine of the Campania Region (FADOI-Campania) were surveyed by means of Google Forms platform. Each participant was asked to report his/her sex, age, and location and hospital size (beds in hospital) in which he/she worked. Furthermore, they were asked to indicate the reference biomarker he/she usually employed in the management of patients with CP, choosing from four possible answers. In line with national and international guidelines, cardiac troponins are the gold standard biomarkers. RESULTS: Eighty-two internists (30 females) completed the survey. Interestingly, only 30.5% of participants indicated the cardiac troponins as reference biomarker. Moreover, internists working in medium-sized hospitals appeared to prefer the simultaneous measurement of cardiac troponins and Creatine Kinase MB Isoenzyme. CONCLUSIONS: Given the economic impact of performing inappropriate examinations and the frequency of the CP symptom and associated diseases, rethinking pathways in a multidisciplinary and shared fashion can promote optimization and appropriateness, and therefore stop wastefulness.
OBJECTIVES: To probe the reference biomarkers used to manage chest pain (CP) by Italian internists. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-seven doctors registered as members of the Federation of Associations of Hospital Doctors on Internal Medicine of the Campania Region (FADOI-Campania) were surveyed by means of Google Forms platform. Each participant was asked to report his/her sex, age, and location and hospital size (beds in hospital) in which he/she worked. Furthermore, they were asked to indicate the reference biomarker he/she usually employed in the management of patients with CP, choosing from four possible answers. In line with national and international guidelines, cardiac troponins are the gold standard biomarkers. RESULTS: Eighty-two internists (30 females) completed the survey. Interestingly, only 30.5% of participants indicated the cardiac troponins as reference biomarker. Moreover, internists working in medium-sized hospitals appeared to prefer the simultaneous measurement of cardiac troponins and Creatine Kinase MB Isoenzyme. CONCLUSIONS: Given the economic impact of performing inappropriate examinations and the frequency of the CP symptom and associated diseases, rethinking pathways in a multidisciplinary and shared fashion can promote optimization and appropriateness, and therefore stop wastefulness.