RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Telemetry monitoring in patients with low-risk chest pain is highly utilized, despite the lack of quality data to support its use. STUDY OBJECTIVES: To review the medical literature on the utility of telemetry monitoring in patients with low-risk chest pain and to offer evidence-based recommendations to emergency physicians. METHODS: A PubMed literature search was performed and limited to human studies written in English language articles with keywords of "telemetry" and "chest pain." Studies identified then underwent a structured review from which results could be evaluated. RESULTS: There were 114 paper abstracts on telemetry monitoring screened; 30 articles were considered relevant. Twelve appropriate articles were rigorously reviewed and recommendations given. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient data exist to support telemetry use in low-risk chest pain patients. Telemetry monitoring is unlikely to benefit low-risk chest pain patients with a normal/nondiagnostic electrocardiogram, a normal first set of cardiac enzymes, and none of the following: hypotension, rales above the bases, or pain worse than baseline angina.