Evaluation and risk stratification of acute coronary syndromes using a low cut-off level of cardiac troponin T, combined with CK-MB mass determination.
OBJECTIVE
To study the usefulness of combined cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) and CK-MB mass determinations in risk stratification of acute coronary syndromes.


METHODS
Blood samples for cTnT and CK-MB mass were collected at arrival and 4, 8, and 12-24 later in 301 consecutive patients with recent acute chest pain (ACP). Data were also collected for cardiac events.


RESULTS
Combined cardiac mortality/nonfatal myocardial infarction over a period of 15 months was lowest in patients with <0.04 microg/l cTnT and -<5.0 microg/l CK-MB mass intermediate in those with elevated cTnT but normal CK-MB mass and highest when both markers were elevated, in absence of early reperfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a low cut-off point of cTnT, combined wit CK-MB mass determination, offers a good strategy for risk stratification of ACP patients.
Solymoss
B Charles
BC
Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Bourassa
Martial G
MG
Fortier
Annik
A
Théroux
Pierre
P
D000368:Aged; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000150:complications; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012306:Risk; D015996:Survival Rate; D020107:Troponin T / Q000097:blood*
D020107:Troponin T