@article {Clarke633, author = {S F J Clarke and R J Parris and K Reynard}, title = {Core{\textendash}peripheral temperature gradient as a diagnostic test in dyspnoea}, volume = {22}, number = {9}, pages = {633--635}, year = {2005}, doi = {10.1136/emj.2004.017624}, publisher = {British Association for Accident and Emergency Medicine}, abstract = {Objectives: To evaluate whether the core{\textendash}peripheral temperature gradient could be used to distinguish between cardiac and respiratory causes of dyspnoea. Methods: In total, 50 patients were enrolled in the study, based on the following inclusion criteria: (a) a primary presenting complaint of dyspnoea; (b) age \>40 years; (c) respiratory rate \>20 breaths/min; (d) hypoxia. The tympanic temperature and the temperature of the nasal tip were recorded, and the patient{\textquoteright}s discharge data and chest x ray results checked. Where there was discordance, arbitration was carried out by another researcher. Results: Four patients were excluded, hence the final study sample was 46 patients. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean temperature gradients of the two study populations (p \<0.001). A gradient of \>8{\textdegree}C was able to rule in a cardiovascular cause (92\% specificity) whereas one of \<5{\textdegree}C could rule it out (100\% sensitivity). Conclusion: The test is safe, non-invasive and inexpensive. Although there were some limitations to the study, the test can still be commended as a useful adjunct to the emergency assessment of the acutely breathless patient.}, issn = {1472-0205}, URL = {https://emj.bmj.com/content/22/9/633}, eprint = {https://emj.bmj.com/content/22/9/633.full.pdf}, journal = {Emergency Medicine Journal} }