1. Multi Center Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Impact of
Advanced Life Support on Out-Of-Hospital Respiratory Distress
Patients
Stiell IG, Wells GA, Spaite DW, Nichol G, Nesbitt L, De Maio VJ,
Lyver MB, Brisson D, Martin MT, Doherty J, Beaudoin T, Cousineau D
Can J Emerg Med 2002;4(2):136
OBJECTIVES: There is little published evidence regarding the optimal
EMS management of respiratory distress. Our study evaluated the
impact of advanced life support (ALS) EMS programs on respiratory
patient outcomes. 

METHODS: This multicenter before-after controlled clinical trial was
conducted in 20 communities (population 15,000 to 750,000) as part of
the Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS) Study, which
evaluates the impact of EMS programs for multiple conditions. During
the before phase, care was provided at the BLS-D level. During the
after phase, ALS providers performed endotracheal intubation and
administered nebulized and IV drugs. Data were collected from
ambulance reports, centralized dispatch data, ED records and
in-hospital records. Chi-square and Student's t-test analyses were
performed. 

RESULTS: The 7,716 patients enrolled during the two 6-month BLS and
ALS phases were well matched for clinical and demographic features
and had these characteristics: mean age 74.0 (16-107), female 53.6%,
EMS status 'severe/life threatening' 51.8%, mean RR 28, final
hospital diagnoses: CHF 16.9%, COPD 16.3%, pneumonia 9.8%, asthma
5.7%, other cardiac 4.8%, CHF/COPD 3.4%, cancer 2.9%. 
During the ALS phase, patients received these EMS interventions:
nebulized salbutamol 55.3%, IV furosemide 15.2%, SL NTG 9.6%, IV
morphine 1.5%, intubation 1.2%. There was a 23.4% relative reduction
in the primary outcome, overall mortality from the BLS to the ALS
phase (15.4% vs. 11.8%; P<.001). This table compares other outcomes:
Measurement     BLS     ALS     P-Value
EMS-judged 'improved'   24.6%   46.7%   .001
ED mortality    1.2%    0.9%    .001
ED intubation   4.9%    3.5%    .001
CXR aspiration  4.4%    1.8%    0.001
LOS (days)      10.2    9.3     .05
Best CPC at discharge   42.6%   58.7%   .001

CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest controlled trial of out-of-hospital
respiratory distress patients and clearly shows important benefit
from ALS programs for mortality and other outcomes.
 


2. Predicted Impact of Citizen CPR Training on Cardiac Arrest
Survival Based on Location of Cardiac Arrest
Vaillancourt C, Stiell IG, Wells GA, De Maio VJ, Nesbitt L, Martin M,
Cousineau D. 
Can J Emerg Med 2002;4(2):144
OBJECTIVES: Bystander CPR rates are generally better in public places
than residential locations. We sought to determine the potential
impact of citizen CPR training on cardiac arrest survival, based on
specific location of cardiac arrest. 

METHODS: We reviewed data prospectively collected within the Ontario
Prehospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS) Study. The OPALS database
includes a population-based cohort of adult out-of-hospital cardiac
arrest cases in 20 communities with BLS-D and ALS paramedics. We
merged the OPALS and Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
databases to obtain precise description of cardiac arrest location.
Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with 95% CI and
sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS: From 1995 to 2000, there were 6,816 consecutive cardiac
arrest cases. Cardiac arrest occurred most often in residential
locations 85.8% (house 57.4%, apartment 22.5%, nursing home 6.0%) as
opposed to public places 14.2% (store 3.4%, recreation Facility
2.1.%, Street 1.4%, office building 1.3%, shopping mall 1.1%).
Overall survival rate was 3.8% (95% CI 3.4-4.3) and varied between
0.68% (0.38-0.98) and 18.5% (14.0-23.0) depending on location,
witnessed status and bystander CPR rate. Assuming that better CPR
technique could increase survival by 3%, increasing bystander CPR
rates to 35% and 50% would result in overall survival rates and
additional number of lives saved per year in residential locations
and public places in the OPALS communities, respectively, of 5.38%
(18, 3) and 6.19% (28, 24). Similarly, relative increase and absolute
number of lives saved in specific residential locations would be,
respectively: House 63.4% (12) and 63.3% (18), Apartment 30.2% (5)
and 29.5% (8), Nursing Home 6.5% (1) and 7.2% (2).

CONCLUSION: Citizen CPR training could significantly increase
survival to cardiac arrest, especially in private houses and
apartment buildings. An intervention focused at improving bystander
CPR rates and quality in those locations should be developed.
 


3. Identification of High Risk Locations of Cardiac Arrest for
Optimal Implementation of Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Programs
De Maio V, Stiell IG, Wells GA, Vaillancourt C, Spaite DW, Nesbitt L,
Martin MT, Cousineau D
Can J Emerg Med 2002;4(2):131

OBJECTIVES: Many agencies are promoting widespread availability of
AEDs in public places despite a lack of evidence for the best
locations for PAD. We attempt to identify high-risk cardiac arrest
location to guide the optimal distribution of AEDs in our
communities.

METHODS: This was an analysis of a prospective cohort study of all
adult, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring before EMS arrival
within the 20 communities of the Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life
Support (OPALS) Study.EMS response included firefighter
defibrillation, BLS-D and ALS paramedics. Case definitions followed
the Utstein guidelines. The place of arrest was identified from a
centralized dispatch database. Unique property type codes were
identified from each address from the provincial property assessment
roll and grouped into 26 location categories. Analysis was
descriptive.

RESULTS: From 1995-2000, there were 6,151 consecutive cardiac arrests
occurring at 5,401 separate addresses. Private residences comprised
87% of these addresses and the remaining 13% were public locations.
The number of addresses with multiple cardiac arrests during the
study period include: = 2 arrests, 404 addresses; = 3 arrests, 123
addresses; = 4 arrests, 57 addresses; = 5 arrests, 30 addresses.
Those sites with an average of one arrest per year (= 5 from
1995-2000) accounted for only 201 (3.3%) of all cardiac arrests. The
number of separate addresses for each of these high-risk location
categories include: nursing homes 16, apartments 8, stores/strip mall
3, college 1, office building 1, mobile-home park 1.

CONCLUSIONS: Most cardiac arrests occur as isolated events in private
residences. We identified few locations within 20 OPALS communities
that may be amenable to PAD. Further study will evaluate the utility
of providing PAD for each of the location categories. All communities
considering public placement of AEDs should similarly identify
high-risk sites to guide the rational deployment of these devices.
 


4. Longitudinal Analysis of Effect of Resuscitation on Health Related
Quality of Life after Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Huszti E, Nichol G, Wells GA, Stiell IG, Nesbitt L, Blackburn J
Can J Emerg Med 2002;4(2):142
OBJECTIVES: The Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS)
Study is a large EMS trial that evaluates ALS interventions for
out-of-hospital patients and conducts detailed measurements of
cardiac arrest survivor outcomes. This study assessed novel methods
of analyzing incomplete or missing longitudinal data related to
health-related quality of life (HRQL).

METHODS: This prospective cohort study included all adult
out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated in 20 cities with a
mixed BLS-D/ALS EMS system. Patients were evaluated for the Health
Utilities Index (HUI) Mark 3, which describes health on a scale from
0 (dead) to 1.0 (perfect health). Subjects were interviewed at 3, 6,
9 and 12 months after discharge and were subject to dropout and
truncation. The Propensity Score Multiple Imputation (MI) method was
used to estimate the propensity that a data element is missing.
Imputed values are then generated from those observed values that
have similar propensity scores. Finally, generalized linear models
are applied to the complete data set to test for independent
associations between response intervals and longitudinal HRQL.
Secondary analysis considered the Predictive Mean MI method. 

RESULTS: Of 8,105 cardiac arrest patients (1995-2000), 418 (5.2%)
survived to discharge and 342 (81%) completed at least one HRQL
interview. The median HUI Score was 0.87 (IQR 0.71-0.95) and the
majority of cases had a score exceeding 0.8. Bystander CPR (odds
ratio 1.9; 95%CI 1.1-3.3) and age >80 (OR 0.3; 0.1-0.97) were
associated with very good HRQL. Generalized linear regression found
time to defibrillation was associated with better HUI scores (p value
= 0.0465). 

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to apply MI methods to the
analysis of longitudinal HRQL data and to demonstrate that shorter
response intervals are associated with better HRQL in cardiac arrest.
This increase in sample size due to imputation significantly improves
the accuracy of the results in EMS research.
 

5. Management and Outcomes of Out-of-Hospital Seizure Patients
Attended to by EMS
Saginur M, Stiell IG, Nesbitt L, Martin MT, Brisson D, Cousineau D,
Doherty J, Beaudoin T, Vaillancourt C, Spaite DW, Nichol G, Lyver MB,
Field BJ, Munkley DP, Luinstra LG, Campeau T, Dagnone E
Can J Emerg Med;4(2):127
OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the outcomes and diagnoses of
seizure patients seen by EMS. This study describes the management,
hospital disposition, and final diagnoses of these patients.

METHODS: This health records review constitutes the seizure sub-study
of the Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS) Study, the
largest prehospital study yet conducted. The OPALS Study will assess
the impact of prehospital ALS on patient outcomes. This sub-study was
conducted in a city of 750,000 with a BLS-D EMS system. Included,
were all adult out-of-hospital seizure patients seen over a 6-month
period. Data sources were ambulance call reports, centralized
dispatch data, ED and in-hospital records. Seizure duration was
defined as the total time of individual seizures plus inter-ictal
periods not interrupted by regained consciousness (GCS>14). Analysis
included descriptive statistics with 95% CIs. 

RESULTS: Of 154 suspected seizures, 129 were true seizure cases, with
the following characteristics: mean age 46 (range 18-92), male 70%,
seizure history 80%, generalized 90%, not transported 7%. Prehospital
seizure activity ended prior to EMS arrival in 65% of cases and prior
to arrival at ED in 78% Mean prehospital seizure duration was 20
minutes (range 1-220). ED records were available in 111 of 120 cases
(92.5%): 33% received IV anticonvulsants and 6% were intubated. From
the ED, 35% were admitted (ICU 5%), 62% discharged, and 3% left
against medical advice. Admitted patients' median length of stay was
5 days (range 1-610), including 0.3 days in ICU. Overall survival was
97.5%. Discharge CPC scores were 'good' 50%, 'moderate disability'
9%, 'severe disability' 41%. Chronic epilepsy caused 78% of cases;
new-onset seizure diagnoses were : tumor 4%, alcoholism 2%, trauma
2%, CVA 1.5%, other known 5%, and unknown 9%. 

CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive review offers the first in-depth
profile of prehospital seizure patients. These data are essential for
the design of future studies of EMS seizure management.
 


6. Potential Impact of Public Access Defibrillation Based upon
Cardiac Arrest Locations 
Valerie J De Maio, Ian G Stiell, George A Wells, Michael T Martin,
Jeremy Doherty, Daniel W Spaite, Justin P Maloney, Graham Nichol,
Donna Cousineau, David Brisson, Tony Campeau, Eugene Dagnone and the
OPALS Study Group. Acad Emerg Med 2001;8(5):415
University of Ottawa: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Queens University:
Kingston, Ontario, Canada,University of Calgary: Calgary, Alberta,
Ontario, University of Western Ontario: London, Ontario, Canada,
Niagara Regional Base Hospital: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada,
Ontario Ministry of Health: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, University of
Arizona: Tucson, AZ 
ABSTRACT

Objectives: Community public access defibrillation (PAD) programs are
becoming commonplace despite the fact that the results of the PAD
Trial are not yet known. This study evaluated the potential impact of
PAD programs based upon an analysis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
locations. 

Methods: As part of the Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support
(OPALS) Study, this prospective cohort study included all adult
out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in 3 medium-sized cities. EMS
response included firefighter defibrillation and ALS paramedics.
Based upon review of ambulance reports and dispatch records, cases
were classified into one of 23 pick-up locations and then grouped
into 5 categories: small residential, large residential,
streets/outdoor, small public buildings, and large public buildings.
Data analyses included descriptive statistics and sensitivity
analyses to estimate the impact of doubling and tripling survival
rates on additional lives saved per year. 

Results: From 1995 to 2000, there were 1,373 consecutive cardiac
arrests and characteristics included: mean age 68.6, male gender
66.5%, bystander witnessed 47.8%, bystander CPR 16.1%, fire first
74.6%, rhythm VF/VT 33.6%, median defibrillation response interval
5.1 minutes, survival to hospital discharge 3.7%. Cardiac arrest
locations were: small residential 56.1%, large residential 27.8%,
streets/outdoor 7.9%, small public buildings 3.4%, large public
buildings 4.8%. The numbers of additional lives that would be saved
per year in each location if the overall survival rates doubled and
tripled, respectively, were: small residential 4, 8; large
residential 2, 3; streets/outdoor 2, 4; small public buildings 1, 2;
large public buildings 1, 3. 

Conclusions: Less than 5% of cardiac arrests occur in large public
buildings and the potential for lives saved with PAD appears to be
modest. EMS and public health directors should recognize the limited
potential of PAD and not overlook other methods for improving cardiac
arrest survival.
 


7. The Relationship between Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Survival
and Community Bystander CPR Rates 
Valerie J De Maio, Ian G Stiell, George A Wells, Michael T Martin,
Daniel W Spaite, Graham Nichol, David Brisson, Donna Cousineau,
Jeremy Doherty, Marion B Lyver, Brian J Field, Douglas P Munkley and
the OPALS Study Group. Acad Emerg Med 2001;8(5):415 
University of Ottawa: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Queens University:
Kingston, Ontario, Canada, University of Calgary: Calgary, Alberta,
Canada, University of Western Ontario: London, Ontario, Canada,
Niagara Regional Base Hospital: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada,
Ontario Ministry of Health: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, University of
Arizona: Tucson, AZ 
ABSTRACT

Objective: While recent data have re-emphasized the role of bystander
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the chain of survival for
out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, its importance has not been clearly
quantified. The objective of this study was to measure survival as a
function of community bystander CPR rates. 

Methods: This prospective cohort study included all adult, cardiac
etiology, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from Phases I and II of the
Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS) Study. Patients in
the 20 study communities received a BLS-D level of care by EMS, but
no ALS. Logistic regression (LR) identified adjusted CPR rates using
covariates found to be independently associated with bystander CPR.
Survival was then modeled using the adjusted CPR rates. The logistic
equation was used to estimate community survival for incremental
bystander CPR rates. Results: From 1991 to 1997, there were 343
(3.7%) survivors among 9,218 cases treated. The overall bystander CPR
rate was 15.2%. LR analysis found the following factors associated
with bystander CPR (odds ratios with 95% CIs): male sex 1.21
(1.05-1.39), age/10 yrs 0.83 (0.80, 0.87), non-winter season 1.20
(1.04, 1.38), witnessed arrest 2.39 (2.10, 2.73), VFVT rhythm 2.13
(1.88, 2.43). Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic 0.86 for 8
DF; area under ROC curve 0.70. The survival function, using the
adjusted CPR rate and the defibrillation response interval, indicates
the odds of survival with increasing CPR rate were 1.71 (1.61, 1.81)
per 5% increase. The survival function predicts, for successive 5%
increments: 1) survival rates, and 2) additional lives saved per year
in the OPALS Study communities: 25% (6.3%; 41 lives), 30% (10.4%; 107
lives), 35% (16.7%; 208 lives), 40% (25.7%; 352 lives).

Conclusion: Improved community bystander CPR rates are associated
with dramatically increased out-of-hospital arrest survival in a
predictable fashion. EMS and public health directors should focus
significant efforts towards improving their community bystander CPR
rate.
 


8. Stiell,IG; DeMaio,VJ; Wells,G; Nichol,G; Spaite,D; Ward,R;
Martin,M; Blackburn,J; O'Brien,J for the OPALS Study Group.
Predictors of Good Quality of Life in Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest
Survivors. May 2000;7(5)425 (abstract).

Objectives: To evaluate the prehospital factors associated with
optimal quality of life for survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac
arrest, within the Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS)
Study. Methods: The OPALS Study is a large EMS trial that evaluates
BLS-D and ALS interventions for cardiac arrest, trauma, and
respiratory distress in 20 communities. This prospective cohort
sub-study included all adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients
during the rapid defibrillation or ALS phases of the OPALS Study
(1995-99) and who survived to one year. Patients were evaluated for
the Health Utilities Index (HUI) Mark 3, which describes health as a
utility score on a scale from 0 (dead) to 1.0 (perfect health).
Analyses included appropriate univariate tests and stepwise logistic
regression to model HUI scores >0.80. 

Results: The 5,022 consecutive cardiac arrest patients had overall
survival rates of 5.1% to hospital discharge and 4.0% to one year.
This sub-study included 189 (93.6%) of 1-year survivors: mean age
64.0 (range 16-94), bystander-witnessed 60.0%, EMS-witnessed 24.6%,
citizen-initiated CPR 34.4%, initial rhythm VF/VT 89.1%, response
with defibrillator < 8 minutes 98.9%, and best CPC category 86.9%.
The overall median HUI score was 0.88 (IQR 0.74-0.95) which compares
well to age adjusted values for the general population (0.85).
Logistic regression identified 3 factors independently associated
with good quality of life and their odds ratios (95% CIs): male
gender 2.3 (1.1-5.2), EMS-witnessed arrest 3.1 (1.4-7.2), and
citizen-initiated CPR 2.6 (1.3-5.4) (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit
statistic 0.57). 

Conclusions: This represents the largest known study of 1-year
survivors and is the first to demonstrate that citizen-initiated CPR
is strongly and independently associated with better quality of life
for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors.
 


9. Demaio,VJ; Stiell,IG; Wells,G; Spaite, D; Martin,M; O'Brien,J for
the OPALS Study. Factors Associated with Field Pronouncement and
Futile Resuscitation of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients.
Academic Emergency Medicine. May 2000;7(5) 509 (abstract). (back to
top)

Objectives: Many EMS programs have adopted termination of
resuscitation policies for cardiac arrest in response to research
establishing the futility of transport after unsuccessful advanced
life support (ALS) measures in the field. This study evaluated
out-of-hospital termination practices and determined predictors of
unsuccessful resuscitation, as part of the Ontario Prehospital
Advanced Life Support (OPALS) Study. 

Methods: This prospective cohort study included all adult, cardiac
etiology, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases within 11 communities
with established field pronouncement policies and prehospital ALS
care. Case definitions followed the Utstein style. Univariate (c2 and
t-test) and stepwise logistic regression (LR) analyses identified
factors associated with field termination and overall non-survival to
hospital discharge. 
Results: From 1995 to 1999, there were 978 (52%) field terminations
among the 1,875 cases treated. Survival was 5.0% overall. LR analysis
found factors independently associated with field pronouncement and
their odds ratios (95% CI): age � 80 years 1.8 (1.4-2.3), unwitnessed
arrest 2.2 (1.8-2.7), no citizen CPR 1.3 (1.0-1.8), non-VF/VT rhythm
3.1 (2.5-3.9), and successful intubation 1.5 (1.1-2.0). Non-survival
was independently associated with: age � 80 years 3.0 (1.2-7.7),
unwitnessed arrest 4.3 (2.2-8.3), defibrillation response interval >
8 minutes 8.5 (1.2-62.3), non-VF/VT rhythm 9.4 (4.7-18.8), and
successful intubation 2.0 (1.1-3.7). 

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that field termination occurs
frequently for unwitnessed arrests in elderly patients with non-VF/VT
rhythms. Factors associated with futile resuscitation are age > 80
years, unwitnessed arrest, defibrillation response interval > 8
minutes, non-VF/VT rhythm, and successful intubation and could form
the basis for evidence-based EMS field termination guidelines. 
 


10. David A Petrie MD, V.J. De Maio (M Sc), I.G. Stiell (MD, M Sc),
J. Dreyer (MD), M. Martin, J O'Brien for the OPALS Study Group.
Factors Affecting Survival of Prehospital Asystolic Cardiac Arrest in
a BLS-D System. Academic Emergency Medicine. May 2000;7(5) 509
(abstract). 

Objectives: Previous studies have shown a very low but meaningful
survival rate in prehospital cardiac arrest with an initial rhythm of
asystole. There may be, however, an identifiable subgroup in which
resuscitation efforts are futile. This study identified potential
field criteria for predicting 100% non-survival when the presenting
rhythm is asystole in a BLS-D System. 

Methods: This prospective cohort study was a component of Phases I
and II of the Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS)
Study, was conducted in 21 Ontario communities with BLS-D level of
care, and included all adult arrests of presumed cardiac etiology
according to the Utstein Style. Analyses included descriptive and
appropriate univariate tests as well as multivariate stepwise
logistic regression to determine predictors of survival to hospital
admission. 

Results: From 1991 to 1997, 9,899 consecutive cardiac arrest cases
were enrolled with these characteristics: male (67.2%), witnessed
(44.7%), bystander CPR (14.2%), defibrillation response interval
(DRI) < 8 minutes (82.0%), asystole (40.8%), PEA (21.2%), VF/VT
(38.0%), and overall survival (4.3%). Among the 3,888 asystole
patients, 9 (0.2%) survived to discharge and 4 of these were
unwitnessed arrests with no bystander CPR. There were, however, no
survivors if the DRI exceeded 8 minutes. Logistic regression
indicated that independent predictors of survival to admission and
their odds ratios (95% CI) were 'DRI in minutes' 0.87 (0.77-0.98) and
'bystander witnessed' 2.6 (1.5-4.4). 

Conclusions: In a BLS-D system, there is a very low but measurable
survival rate for prehospital aysstolic cardiac arrest. DRI > 8
minutes was associated with 100% non-survival whereas unwitnessed
arrests with no bystander CPR did not. These data add to the growing
literature which will help guide ethical decision making for protocol
development in EMS systems. Improved specificity in prehospital
termination guidelines could lead to more efficient resource
utilization and less exposure to occupational risk. 
 
11. FEASIBILITY EVALUATION OF CHEST PAIN PATIENTS IN THE OPALS STUDY
Easo J, Stiell I, Wells G, Spaite D, O'Brien J, Martin M, Kennedy D,
for the OPALS Study Group, Division of Emergency Medicine and
Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University of Ottawa, Ottawa 

Objectives: The Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS)
Study will be the largest prehospital study yet conducted and will
evaluate the impact of prehospital ALS programs on the outcomes of
cardiac arrest, trauma, and other patients. The purpose of this study
was to assess feasibility and methodological issues required for a
clinical trial of chest pain patients within the OPALS Study. 

Methods: This cohort study was conducted over a 6-month period in a
city of 750,000 and included all adults transported with a primary
complaint of chest pain to one of 5 hospitals. Data were collected
from ambulance, dispatch, ED, and hospital records. Analyses included
descriptive statistics with 95% CIs and univariate associations.
Results: 905 consecutive patients were enrolled: mean age 65.8,
female 52.7%, NTG prior to EMS arrival 48.1%. Hospital survival was
95.2% and the immediate adverse outcome rate 16.0% (ED MI 13.7%, ED
lethal arrhythmia 2.6%, ED pulmonary edema 1.7%, ED hypotension 1.5%,
EMS- witnessed cardiac arrest 0.3%). Lengths of stay, in days, were:
hospital 8.6, special care unit 2.8, telemetry unit 3.7. Cardiac
procedures performed: angiography 18.6%, angioplasty 4.8%, CABG 3.9%,
pacemaker 1.2%. The overall survival rate was 95.2%; 71.9% rated
"good" at discharge on the CPC scale. The ICD-9 based final diagnoses
were: chest pain NYD 17.6%, MI 17.1%, unstable angina 14.6%, stable
angina 9.5%, G.I. 8.8%, cardiac dysrhythmias 6.0%, respiratory 5.9%,
cardiac other 5.2%. For the proposed clinical trial, a sample size of
13,000 would afford 80% power to detect a 1% difference in hospital
survival and a 2% difference in the immediate adverse outcome rate. 

Conclusions: This comprehensive in-hospital review provides an
in-depth profile of prehospital chest pain patients and was vital for
the design and funding of the chest pain component of the OPALS
study, which will evaluate the benefits of prehospital ALS.
Presented at the Canadian Association of Emergency Physician's Annual
Conference, in Halifax, June 11-14, 2000.

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