Table 1

Preliminary patient baseline characteristics (N = 172)


Number (%)

Demographics

     Age (years, mean ± SD)
66 ± 14
     ≥ 75 years
57 (33)
     Female
88 (51)
Risk factors (N = 114)

     Current smoker
21 (22)
     Diabetes mellitus
24 (21)
     Hypertension
51 (45)
     Hyperlipidemia
36 (32)
     Prior ischemic heart disease
34 (30)
Presenting symptoms

     Chest pain
157 (91)
     Radiation of chest pain
109 (64)
     Vagal symptoms*
97 (57)
Patient referred to hospital
126 (73)
Duration of symptoms (hours) **
3.0 (IQR 1.4–7.0)

* Including nausea, sweating, pallor

** From symptom onset until time of testing, IQR = interquartile range

Bruins Slot et al. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders 2008 8:8   doi:10.1186/1471-2261-8-8