Rapid Diagnostic Measures Cardiovascular Markers

A new rapid diagnostic protocol was validated for managing patients at low risk of serious cardiac events.

The fluorescence immunoassay was used for the quantitative determination of creatine kinase MB, myoglobin, troponin I, and B-type natriuretic peptide in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, (EDTA), whole blood, and plasma specimens.

The test is used as an aid in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, an aid in the diagnosis and assessment of severity of congestive heart failure, an aid in the risk stratification of patients with heart failure, and an aid in the risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

The new, two-hour protocol employs the Alere (Waltham, MA, USA) Triage CardioProfiler to assess patients presenting with symptoms of chest pain. A study published in the March 26, 2011, edition of the journal the Lancet demonstrated the effectiveness of the protocol.

The large, multinational study described the new, two-hour protocol that employs the Alere Triage CardioProfiler to assess patients presenting with symptoms of chest pain. The study was carried out in 14 urban emergency departments across the Asia-Pacific region (ASPECT), and the accelerated diagnostic protocol (ADP) consisted of using a Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) pre-test probability score, an electrocardiograph, and results from the Alere Triage CardioProfiler.

The new two-hour protocol will reduce the burden on emergency departments and hospital resources, allowing earlier discharge for the majority of patients. According to the study's authors, "Patients could potentially be discharged several hours earlier to outpatient follow-up and further investigations than with present practices. The implication of more effective and rapid diagnosis of acute chest pain symptoms means a reduction in overcrowding in hospitals and emergency departments and earlier reassurance and greater convenience for patients."

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