title: Biomarkers in ACS and heart failure: should men and women be interpreted differently?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sex-based differences exist in the circulating concentrations of certain novel and established biomarkers in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and heart failure (HF). However, to date, few studies have compared the diagnostic and prognostic utility of these markers in men vs women.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This mini-review contains a discussion of the published reports of studies that have explored whether differences in biomarker concentrations exist between men and women with ACS or HF. It also examines those studies that have compared the utility of biomarkers for diagnosis or risk stratification in women vs men. Because biomarkers are often used to make therapeutic and triage decisions in patient care, the potential clinical implications for any observed differences in biomarker reference limits for men and women is discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the concentration distributions may differ between men and women for certain biomarkers in clinical use, the clinical implications of these observations remain unclear. Because elements of the pathophysiology of ACS and HF may differ between the sexes, further research is needed to better evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of biomarkers in men vs women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA;
authors.forename: Shweta R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Motiwala
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarma
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Januzzi
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: O'Donoghue
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D020107:Troponin T / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020107:Troponin T