Clinical assessment of heart-type fatty acid binding protein in early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Early identification of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency room is still a difficult task. The objective of this study is to estimate the reliability of heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) in identifying ACS in the early stage of chest pain onset.


METHODS
In a prospective multicentre study in emergency room patients with suspected ACS lasting less than 3 h, heart heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) was compared with conventional biomarkers. Protein levels >7 ng/ml were considered positive results.


RESULTS
A total of 419 patients were analyzed. Acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 148 patients (35%). H-FABP sensitivity was 60% (89 out of 148 patients), significantly higher than troponin T [19% (28 out of 148 patients); P<0,05]. Specificity of troponin T, however, [99% (270 out of 271 patients)] was better than H-FABP [88% (237 out of 271 patients)], though this was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
H-FABP can be a useful early diagnostic biochemical marker, particularly within the first 6 h of symptoms, in patients attending the emergency department.
Valle
Hector Alonso
HA
Emergency Department, Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain. hectoravt@telefonica.net
Riesgo
Luis García-Castrillo
LG
Bel
Miguel Sántalo
MS
Gonzalo
Francisco Epelde
FE
Sanchez
Miguel Sánchez
MS
Oliva
Luis Iglesias
LI
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D000074026:Fatty Acid Binding Protein 3; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020107:Troponin T / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; C493408:FABP3 protein, human; D000074026:Fatty Acid Binding Protein 3; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D020107:Troponin T