Role of Chest Radiography in the Management of Patients with Chest Pain and Dyspnea in the Emergency Department

SUMMARY Objectives: Study objective was to investigate the contribution of chest radiography on the management of patients with chest pain or dyspnea and to analyze the consistency of the treatment strategies before and after chest radiography. Materials and Methods: All consecutive adult patients who were admitted to the emergency department with the chief complaint of non-traumatic chest pain or dyspnea who had a chest radiography were enrolled in the study. Results: The impact of chest radiography on the management plan was investigated. The management plans were changed in 12.9% of 387 subjects after chest radiography. The change of management plans was not significantly related to age, sex, past medical history and radiographic technique. Presenting symptom, initial diagnosis, chest radiography indications,the initial management plan were all associated with management plan change after radiographic evaluation. Conclusion: Chest radiographs may contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of selected emergency department patients with dyspnea and chest pain. Radiographies ordered routinely for hospital admission or for preoperation testing had no impact on the patient management plan in the emergency department