Brazilian guideline for the evaluation and diagnosis of chest pain in the emergency department

Authors
Category Systematic review
JournalNursing (Ed. bras., Impr.)
Year 2026
Chest pain is one of the leading causes of emergency department visits and represents a significant diagnostic challenge due to the broad spectrum of possible etiologies, ranging from benign conditions to life-threatening diseases. In this context, standardized clinical guidelines are essential to improve patient safety, reduce diagnostic errors, and optimize healthcare resource utilization. This study aimed to conduct a systematic literature review on the recommendations of the Brazilian Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Chest Pain in the Emergency Department, emphasizing the main diagnostic methods, risk stratification protocols, and scientific evidence available in the Brazilian literature. The review included studies indexed in SciELO, Virtual Health Library (BVS), LILACS, and PubMed, considering Brazilian publications from 2015 to 2025. The findings demonstrated that the systematic use of clinical protocols, early electrocardiography, serial cardiac troponin measurements, and validated risk scores significantly improves diagnostic accuracy, reduces time to diagnosis, and contributes to lower morbidity and mortality among patients with acute coronary syndromes. Furthermore, implementation of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology guidelines promotes standardized care, decreases unnecessary hospital admissions, and enhances healthcare efficiency. The evidence indicates that adherence to Brazilian recommendations is fundamental for improving the quality of emergency care for patients presenting with chest pain.(AU)
Epistemonikos ID: cf18220832132e32a488ac4e3eda3f41ea0e479a
First added on: Oct 28, 2026