Sources of diagnostic inaccuracy of conventional versus new diagnostic criteria for myocardial infarction in an unselected UK population with suspected cardiac chest pain, and investigation of independent prognostic variables.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the degree and sources of current diagnostic inaccuracy of serial conventional cardiac markers and ECGs compared with the new diagnostic criteria for myocardial infarction, with specific reference to physician specialty and the prognostic value of troponin T.


METHODS
Prospective, blinded observational study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
All suspected cardiac chest pain admissions for six months, with additional blinded measurement of CK-MB mass and troponin T. World Health Organization and new criteria myocardial infarction diagnoses were made by an expert panel.


METHODS
Diagnostic adjustment by expert panel; completeness of serial measurements; six months prognosis.


RESULTS
A complete set of serial cardiac markers was not taken in 38.7% of patients, this being twice as likely when managed by non-cardiologists than by cardiologists (p < 0.0001). The WHO myocardial infarction diagnosis was adjusted by the expert panel in 4% of cases, this being 90% more likely in patients admitted under non-cardiologists (p = 0.026). The new criteria for myocardial infarction identified an additional 27.3% of infarcts, with a diagnostic alteration in 12.0% of the cohort; 45.2% of these cases had a potentially preventable cause for diagnostic adjustment. Only troponin T (p = 0.0004), ST depression (p = 0.003), and heart failure (p = 0.016) were independently predictive of prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Chest pain patients appear less likely to be fully and accurately assessed by non-cardiologists than by cardiologists. The new criteria for myocardial infarction identify approximately 25% of additional patients as MI, with potential additional advantages related to simplicity of diagnostic protocols. Troponin T was the most potent predictor of six month prognosis in an unselected cohort of chest pain admissions.
Trevelyan
J
J
Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK.
Needham
E W A
EW
Smith
S C H
SC
Mattu
R K
RK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000401:mortality*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000592:standards; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020107:Troponin T / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D007527:Isoenzymes; D020107:Troponin T; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form