Pre hospital triage of patients at intermediate and high risk for acute coronary syndrome: ARTICA-2 randomized trial
As of 1 September 2026, the ARTICA-2 study has officially started. ARTICA-2 is a multicentre study in which several ambulance services and hospitals collaborate. In this study, we aim to determine whether patients with suspected myocardial infarction can already be assessed more accurately in the ambulance, allowing them to be referred directly to the most appropriate care.
Currently, patients with an intermediate to high risk are transported to the nearest hospital. This hospital does not always have the facilities to perform a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). If a patient turns out to have an acute myocardial infarction requiring PCI, the patient must subsequently be transferred to a PCI centre. This may result in the loss of valuable time.
Within ARTICA-2, we are investigating a new method of risk assessment. For this purpose, the ambulance nurse combines the modified HEAR(T) score with a rapid, high-sensitivity troponin measurement using a point-of-care blood test. This test can already be performed in the ambulance. With this approach, we aim to investigate whether patients can be safely and more quickly referred to the most appropriate care from the very beginning.
Cyril Camaro, Principal Investigator,
A.W.M. Bekkers, Research-Physician
