By comparing the levels of long troponin molecules with the total troponin levels measured in traditional tests, doctors can calculate a ratio, which allows for more accurate diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
On October 17, the University of Turku in Finland announced the development of a new testing method that facilitates faster and more accurate diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
Myocardial infarction is a dangerous cardiovascular condition with a high mortality rate. (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Quantifying troponin (an essential protein complex that regulates cardiac muscle contraction) in blood samples is a crucial part of diagnosing heart attacks.
However, sometimes elevated troponin levels are not due to a heart attack but can result from other acute or chronic conditions.
According to the University of Turku, with the current testing methods, over 50% of cases with elevated troponin detected in emergency situations are not due to myocardial infarction. Therefore, the new testing method focuses exclusively on long troponin molecules.
By comparing the levels of these long troponin molecules with the total troponin levels measured in traditional tests, doctors can determine a more accurate ratio.
Myocardial infarction is a dangerous cardiovascular condition and has a high mortality rate. The disease progresses rapidly and is complex; if not detected early and treated promptly, it can be life-threatening.
The University of Turku reports that cardiovascular diseases account for nearly half of all patient deaths in Finland.
More effective testing will enable quicker treatment for heart attack patients, contributing to alleviating the burden on hospitals with high patient volumes.
