Surveys on the use of cardiac markers in the UK.
BACKGROUND
Troponin measurements are now central to the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes and for the stratification of the severity of cardiac disease. Some laboratories have quickly adopted the new testing strategies, which include troponin measurement for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, while others are still developing appropriate protocols for cardiac testing that they can support financially. However, it is not known how widespread is the adoption of these new strategies across the UK.


METHODS
The National Audit Committee of the Association of Clinical Biochemists commissioned two surveys in 1999 and 2001 to assess the status of cardiac markers currently being offered by laboratories in the UK and how this service might develop in the future.


RESULTS
The results show that many laboratories are continuously adapting and improving their cardiac marker testing in line with current recommendations for acute myocardial infarction. Although most laboratories are confident in the use of troponin measurement in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, they are less confident in the use of biochemical markers in assessing prognostic outcome in the other cardiac conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Finance, staffing and equipment constraints may offer significant impediments to troponin testing with a 1-h turnaround time.
Tsang
Wing Man
WM
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport, UK. wing2699@hotmail.com
Owen
Avril M
AM
Collinson
Paul O
PO
Barth
Julian H
JH
D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014336:Troponin / Q000097:blood*; D006113:United Kingdom
D014336:Troponin