Communicating future heart-attack risk to people sent home after emergency chest pain
Official title: Developing a Brief Intervention to Communicate Cardiovascular Risk to Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Chest Pain: a Co-Production Approach. Phase 2.
Run by University of Edinburgh · NCT06903442 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try giving adults who came to the emergency department with chest pain (but no heart attack) their troponin result plus a short, co-designed conversation about heart risk to see if that improves their understanding and follow-up.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 118 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Edinburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Edinburgh) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 25, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | March 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 3, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06903442 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) living in Scotland who come to the ED with symptoms suggesting acute coronary syndrome, have a troponin I 5 ng/L up to the sex-specific 99th centile, no prior cardiovascular disease, at least one modifiable risk factor, can speak English, and can attend outpatient follow-up are suitable.
✕Probably not a fit
People diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome during the visit, those with existing cardiovascular disease, those unable to consent or attend outpatient sessions, non-English speakers, or those already undergoing cardiac investigations are not likely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The trial delivers a brief, co-designed cardiovascular intervention in people who present to the emergency department with chest pain but do not have an acute heart attack. Participants with a modestly raised high-sensitivity troponin I (between 5 ng/L and the sex-specific 99th centile) and at least one modifiable risk factor will receive their troponin value and a short structured conversation about future heart risk. The intervention was co-produced with patients and is delivered outpatient after the index visit. The phase 2 work focuses on testing the acceptability and feasibility of delivering this brief risk-communication in an ED-linked pathway.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help patients better understand their future heart-attack risk and prompt earlier risk-reducing actions or follow-up.
How similar studies have gone: Brief, personalized risk-communication approaches have shown promise in other clinical settings, but delivering troponin-based brief interventions after ED chest pain is relatively new.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients who present to the Emergency Department with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome * A maximum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I between 5 ng/L and the sex-specific 99th centile. * Resides in Scotland and has a CHI number * Adults aged 18 and over * No history of cardiovascular disease * At least 1 modifiable cardiovascular risk factor: current smoker, hypertension (140/90 mmHg), hypercholesterolaemia (\>6.0 mmol/L), overweight and obesity (BMI \>25), hyperglycaemia or diabetes mellitus. * Patients who are able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome during index presentation * Patients who are not able to give informed consent * Patients who do not speak English * Patients who are unable to attend hospital as outpatient to receive the cardiovascular brief intervention * Patients with ongoing or planned cardiovascular investigations or interventions * Patients with chronic kidney disease and a eGFR below 30 ml/min
Where it's running
-
NHS Lothian
Edinburgh, United Kingdom Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.