High-Sensitivity Troponin T Rules Out MI in More Patients More Quickly than Conventional Troponin Assay

However, it is unclear whether the earlier rule-outs are worth the additional testing required.

In 2017, the FDA approved a fifth-generation high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) assay. European studies had shown the test has high sensitivity but low specificity for ruling out myocardial infarction (MI) quickly (NEJM JW Emerg Med Jun 2017 and Ann Intern Med 2017; 166:715; NEJM JW Emerg Med Jan 2018 and BMJ 2017; 359:4788). Now, in an observational U.S. study, researchers evaluated a rapid MI rule-out protocol using the fifth-generation assay.

Both the conventional fourth-generation TnT assay and the new hsTnT assay were used at 0, 1, and 3 hours after symptom onset in 536 emergency department patients (56% men; mean age, 55 years). MI was ruled out with the conventional assay if TnT levels were <0.01 ng/mL at all three time points and wa…

Reviewing Author

Ali S. Raja, MD, MBA, MPH

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Board Member); American College of Healthcare Executives – Massachusetts (Board Member)

Ali S. Raja, MD, MBA, MPH

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Board Member); American College of Healthcare Executives – Massachusetts (Board Member)

High-Sensitivity Troponin T Rules Out MI in More Patients More Quickly than Conventional Troponin Assay

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Reviewing Author