Table 3

Test Characteristics of the Marburg Heart Score and the FP Assessment

VariableACSNo ACSTotal
MHS using a cut-off value of ≤2
MHS >22784111
MHS ≤296675
Total36150186
Sensitivity: 75.0% (95% CI, 57.5-87.3)Incidence ACS: 19.4% (95% CI, 14.1-25.9)
Specificity: 44.0% (95% CI, 36.0-52.3)Incidence No ACS: 80.6% (95% CI, 74.1-85.9)
PPV: 24.3% (95% CI, 16.9-33.6)OR: 2.36 (95% CI, 1.04-5.35)
NPV: 88.0% (95% CI, 78.0-94.0)χ2: 0.04
MHS using a cut-off value of ≤1
MHS >134126160
MHS ≤122426
Total36150186
Sensitivity: 94.4% (95% CI, 80.0-99.0)Incidence ACS: 19.4% (95% CI, 14.1-25.9)
Specificity: 16.0% (95% CI, 10.7-23.1)Incidence No ACS: 80.6% (95% CI, 74.1-85.9)
PPV: 21.3% (95% CI, 15.4-28.6)OR: 3.24 (95% CI, 0.73-14.39)
NPV: 92.3% (95% CI, 73.4-98.7)χ2: 0.11
FP probability assessment using a cut-off value of ≤5
FP probability assessment high (>5)39116155
FP probability assessment low (≤5)68288
Total45198243
Sensitivity: 86.7% (95% CI, 72.5-94.5)Incidence ACS: 18.5% (95% CI, 14.0-24.1)
Specificity: 41.4% (95% CI, 34.5-48.6)Incidence No ACS: 81.5% (95% CI, 75.9-86.0)
PPV: 25.2% (95% CI, 18.7-32.9)OR: 4.60 (95% CI, 1.86-11.36)
NPV: 93.2% (95% CI, 85.2-97.2)χ2: <0.01
Combined approach using the MHS and the FP assessments of probability
MHS + FP probability assessment, 1-2a36115151
MHS + FP probability assessment, 0b03535
Total36150186
Sensitivity: 100% (95% CI, 88.0-100)Incidence ACS: 19.4% (95% CI, 14.1-25.9)
Specificity: 23.3% (95% CI, 17.0-31.1)Incidence No ACS: 80.6% (95% CI, 74.1-85.9)
PPV: 23.8% (95% CI, 17.5-31.6)
NPV: 100% (95% CI, 87.7-100)

  • ACS = acute coronary syndrome; FP = family physician; MHS = Marburg Heart Score; NPV = negative predictive value; OR = odds ratio; PPV = positive predictive value.

  • ↵a Either the MHS, the FP assessment, or both were positive using an MHS cut-off value of ≤2 and an FP assessment cut-off value of ≤5.

  • ↵b Both the MHS and the FP assessments were negative.