Effect of temperature on albumin cobalt binding and its influence on ischemia-modified albumin levels in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) has been shown to be a rapidly rising and sensitive biochemical marker especially for the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of temperature on the capacity of cobalt binding to human albumin and the influence of this variable on IMA measurement. METHODS: The following temperatures of incubation were tested for human albumin standard 25 degrees C, 28 degrees C, 31 degrees C, 34 degrees C, and 37 degrees C and for patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome, room temperature and 37 degrees C. IMA was measured by cobalt-albumin binding assay. RESULTS: There was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.98, p < 0.001) between IMA and the assay temperatures. IMA levels were 0.68 +/- 0.25 absorbance units (ABSU) at room temperature and 0.92 +/- 0.33 ABSU (p < 0.001) at 37 degrees C in the study participants. CONCLUSIONS: IMA values were influenced by the assay temperature.