Abstract

Introduction: High-sensitivity troponin (hsTnT) values are used extensively in clinical practice to determine acute myocardial infarction (MI). Most hsTnT algorithms use an accelerated diagnostic protocol based on ranges of hsTnT and time-based changes within those ranges. Little is known about the performance of a protocol based on absolute change with time regardless of absolute values. Research question: Is there a level of hsTnT change (dTnT) that can be used as a single decision factor in the triage of chest pain? Goals/Aims: To assess the diagnostic value of dTnT in ruling out 30-day MI or 30-day death and to identify optimal cut-off values. Methods: Retrospective review of patients with chest pain (CP) who presented to the ED of a single tertiary medical center between September 2017 to September 2019. Patients were included if they had at least 2 hsTnT measurements. dTnT was calculated using the difference between the first and second readings. Presence or absence of MI or death at 30 days from this ED presentation was also recorded from chart review. ROC analysis was performed to determine cut-off values for predicting each event. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: dTnT was available in 488 patients and predicted 30-day MI (4/488) with a high AUC of 0.864 (p=0.01). The Cut-off value range of 12.5 to 20.5% had a similar sensitivity of 75% but the specificity increased as the cut-off increased to 20.5%, highest specificity being 87%.dTnT was not sensitive in predicting 30-day death, the AUC was 0.524 (p=0.9). Conclusion: Without compromising on sensitivity, the specificity of this test may increase as the cut-off value is increased. The use of troponin change as a risk marker for MACE in pts with CP has optimal sensitivity and good specificity in predicting 30-day MI and its diagnostic utility should be evaluated further.

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