Do point-of-care troponins offer any advantage to the emergency department?

Abstract

This lecture will begin by providing context and background to the Emergency Department perspective on the assessment of suspected cardiac chest pain. Data will be presented relating to this issue and there will also be discussion in relation to the problem of Emergency Department and hospital overcrowding and how point-of-care troponins may be able to impact upon this. There will be some discussion of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) Global Task Force educational guidance concerning new high sensitivity troponins. There will be a review of on-market assays and their characteristics. The potential impact of point-of-care assays upon Emergency Department flow will be discussed and illustrated with value stream mapping. Some case examples will be provided. The potential benefits and disadvantages of point-of-care troponins will be illustrated by up to date research information which will represent Emergency Department research that is also possible within primary care.