New Zealand Researchers Pioneer Rapid Blood Test for Heart Attack Diagnosis
Challenges in Emergency Departments
Emergency departments often experience high patient volumes and limited resources. When patients present with symptoms indicative of a heart attack, they are treated as such until proven otherwise. However, diagnosing a heart attack can be time-consuming, leading to unnecessary extended hospital stays for patients who ultimately do not have the condition.
Limitations of Current Testing Methods
Currently, there is no blood test available in emergency departments that can quickly diagnose a heart attack. The existing tests that detect troponin, a critical marker for heart attacks, require samples to be sent to a laboratory for analysis, delaying results.
Study Overview
Researchers from New Zealand have developed new bedside equipment designed to test for troponin levels rapidly. Their study, published in JAMA Cardiology, aimed to evaluate the accuracy of this new device compared to traditional laboratory methods.
In this study, blood samples were collected from 354 patients who visited the Emergency Department with potential heart attack symptoms. Portions of each sample were reserved for testing with the new equipment, while standard diagnostic procedures continued, with a cardiologist making the final determination regarding a heart attack diagnosis.
Findings of the Study
After collecting all blood samples, the new equipment was assessed for its ability to accurately measure troponin levels. The results from the new device were compared with those obtained from laboratory tests as well as the final clinical diagnoses.
Of the 354 patients tested, 16% were confirmed to have experienced a heart attack. Remarkably, the new equipment demonstrated 100% accuracy in measuring troponin levels, delivering results within just 15 minutes.
Future Implications
While the findings are promising, the researchers emphasize the need for further studies to validate the new equipment. Additional testing across various hospitals will be essential to confirm its reliability. If successful, this rapid blood test could significantly expedite the discharge process for patients who do not have a heart attack.
Reference
Pickering J, Young J, George P, et al. Validity of a Novel Point-of-Care Troponin Assay for Single-Test Rule-Out of Acute Myocardial Infarction. JamaCardiol. 2018. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2018.3368.