Comparison between quantitative and qualitative biochemical markers in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: To compare between the qualitative estimation of biochemical markersPoint-of-Care testing) with the quantitative estimation of the same markers in thediagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Design: Case-series study.Setting: This study was carried out in coronary care unit in Ibn- Sena TeachingHospital in Mosul city from January to November, 2008.Participant: Sixty five patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presented withchest pain.Main outcome measures: Three cardiac markers (Creatine kinase (CK-MB)activities (marker of necrosis), myoglobin (marker of muscle injury), and troponin I(marker of necrosis), were estimated qualitatively (near the patient= Point-of-Caretesting), and quantitatively, and the results were compared. Kappa test was used forthe association between the quantitative and qualitative test results.Results: The case-series study showed correlation of attributes between qualitativeestimation results of troponin I, myoglobin and CK-MB and quantitative estimationresults of the same parameters in (88.9%) tests.Conclusion: The early diagnosis of ACS might be facilitated by the use of qualitativepoint-of-care testing based on CK-MB, troponin I and myoglobin tests.