Use of a whole blood rapid panel test for heart-type fatty acid-binding protein in patients with acute chest pain: Comparison with rapid troponin T and myoglobin tests

Yoshihiko Seino, Ken ichi Ogata, Teruo Takano, Jun Ichi Ishii, Hitoshi Hishida, Hiroshi Morita, Hitoshi Takeshita, Yasushi Takagi, Hiroshi Sugiyama, Takao Tanaka, Yasushi Kitaura

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105 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

PURPOSE: We sought to determine the clinical utility of a newly developed qualitative test to measure heart-type fatty acid-binding protein levels in blood for the early identification of myocardial infarction. METHODS: We measured heart-type fatty acid-binding protein levels in 371 consecutive patients with acute chest pain and suspected myocardial infarction, and compared the performance of this test with those of troponin T and myoglobin tests. Levels of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein ≥6.2 ng/mL were considered as positive results. RESULTS: A final diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction was made in 181 patients (49%). Of the 68 patients who presented within 2 hours of the onset of symptoms, 37 (54%) had a final diagnosis of myocardial infarction. The sensitivity of the rapid heart-type fatty acid-binding protein test was 89% (33/37), significantly higher than for troponin T (22% [8/37]; P<0.001) and myoglobin (38% [14/37]; P<0.001). However, the specificity of troponin T (94% [29/31]) was significantly better than for heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (52% [16/31]; P= 0.002) within 2 hours. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for heart-type fatty acid-binding protein levels was greater than that for myoglobin (0.72 vs. 0.61, P = 0.01) among patients who presented within 2 hours. CONCLUSION: A novel whole blood rapid heart-type fatty acid-binding protein test can be useful in the early evaluation of patients who present with acute chest pain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-190
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Medicine
Volume115
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15-08-2003

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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