Time Gain in the Diagnosis Myocardial Infarction by Troponin Point of Care Testing in the Emergency Room

Time Gain in the Diagnosis of Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction by Troponin Point of Care Testing in the Emergency Room

The investigators prospectively want to compare 3 clinical tests for measuring blood troponin levels in patients presenting to the emergency room with thoracic pain probably related to a myocardial infarction with regard to the time necessary to obtain the test results.

The tests are one laboratory based test and two point of care tests.

Thoracic pain can be caused by a myocardial infarction. The diagnosis of a myocardial infarction can be made by an ECG (ST-elevation myocardial infarction, STEMI). However, some myocardial infarctions can also occur without ST-elevations on the ECG (non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, non-STEMI). In the latter case, a quick acquisition of blood troponin levels is necessary to coin the diagnosis and initiate treatment. Therefore, the investigators prospectively want to compare 3 clinical tests for measuring blood troponin levels in patients presenting to the emergency room with thoracic pain probably related to a non-STEMI with regard to the time necessary to obtain the test results.

The 3 tests are:

1. A laboratory based test: Roche Cobas E 602
2. A point of care test: Radiometer AQT 90 Flex
3. A point of care test: Philips Minicare I-20

The measured timeframe is the time between venipuncture to the point the test results are known.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Thoracic pain

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to give informed consent