Using Echocardiography to Detect Acute Coronary Syndrome in Emergency Patients

Clinical Echocardiography and S' Wave for Early Recognition of Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Emergency Department, A Prospective Study

Not applicable Interventional Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc- Université Catholique de Louvain · NCT06860997

This study is testing if a special heart imaging technique can help doctors quickly identify acute coronary syndrome in adults with chest pain in the emergency room.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCliniques universitaires Saint-Luc- Université Catholique de Louvain Academic / other
Locations1 site (Bruxelles)
Trial IDNCT06860997 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) S' wave velocity as a diagnostic tool for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in adults presenting with acute chest pain in the emergency department. The study will compare the diagnostic performance of TDI S' wave with other echocardiographic markers and assess how demographic factors may influence these results. Patients aged 18 and older who do not show ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on their initial ECG and require continuous cardiac monitoring will be included. The findings will be compared against final diagnoses to determine the accuracy of TDI S' wave in identifying ACS.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain and no STEMI on their initial ECG.

Not a fit: Patients with known pre-existing cardiomyopathy, severe valvular heart disease, or those presenting with non-cardiac causes of chest pain may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, potentially improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored echocardiographic markers for ACS, but the specific use of TDI S' wave is a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18 years
* Presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute chest pain
* No ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on initial ECG
* Requiring continuous cardiac monitoring based on triage decision
* Able to provide informed consent (written consent required)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known pre-existing cardiomyopathy (e.g., hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy)
* Severe valvular heart disease
* Left bundle branch block (LBBB) or presence of a pacemaker
* Arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation, frequent premature ventricular contractions)
* Cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock at presentation
* Pulmonary hypertension
* Pericardial effusion or tamponade
* Non-cardiac cause of chest pain suspected as the primary diagnosis
* Language barrier preventing informed consent (study materials available in English, French, and Dutch)

Where this trial is running

Bruxelles

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Acute Coronary SyndromeMyocardial InfarctionNon-ST Elevation Myocardial InfarctionUnstable AnginaEchocardiographyTissue DopplerEmergency MedicineCardiac Function Tests
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.