Direct Comparison of 4 Very Early Rule-Out Strategies for Acute Myocardial Infarction Using High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I.

BACKGROUND: Four strategies for very early rule-out of acute myocardial infarction using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) have been identified. It remains unclear which strategy is most attractive for clinical application. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled unselected patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial infarction. The final diagnosis was adjudicated by 2 independent cardiologists. Hs-cTnI levels were measured at presentation and after 1 hour in a blinded fashion. We directly compared all 4 hs-cTnI-based rule-out strategies: limit of detection (LOD, hs-cTnI<2 ng/L), single cutoff (hs-cTnI<5 ng/L), 1-hour algorithm (hs-cTnI<5 ng/L and 1-hour change<2 ng/L), and the 0/1-hour algorithm recommended in the European Society of Cardiology guideline combining LOD and 1-hour algorithm. RESULTS: Among 2828 enrolled patients, acute myocardial infarction was the final diagnosis in 451 (16%) patients. The LOD approach ruled out 453 patients (16%) with a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 99.2%-100%), the single cutoff 1516 patients (54%) with a sensitivity of 97.1% (95% CI, 95.1%-98.3%), the 1-hour algorithm 1459 patients (52%) with a sensitivity of 98.4% (95% CI, 96.8%-99.2%), and the 0/1-hour algorithm 1463 patients (52%) with a sensitivity of 98.4% (95% CI, 96.8%-99.2%). Predefined subgroup analysis in early presenters (≤2 hours) revealed significantly lower sensitivity (94.2%, interaction P=0.03) of the single cutoff, but not the other strategies. Two-year survival was 100% with LOD and 98.1% with the other strategies (P<0.01 for LOD versus each of the other strategies). CONCLUSIONS: All 4 rule-out strategies balance effectiveness and safety equally well. The single cutoff should not be applied in early presenters, whereas the 3 other strategies seem to perform well in this challenging subgroup. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00470587.

[CME Sonography 98: Chest Ultrasound]. / CME-Sonografie 98: Thoraxsonografie.

CME Sonography 98: Chest Ultrasound Abstract. Chest sonography has long been an important part of ultrasound diagnostics. Historically, the first evidence found in chest sonography were pleural effusions. Peripheral consolidations (pneumonia, tumors, pulmonary embolism) and pneumothorax were added later. The COVID-19 pandemic with often massive lung infestation has significantly increased the interest in thoracic sonography. The partially specific changes caused by COVID-19 are presented in this article.

[CME Sonography 98/Answers: Chest Ultrasound]. / CME-Sonografie 98/Antworten: Thoraxsonografie.

CME Sonography 98/Answers: Chest Ultrasound Abstract. Chest sonography has long been an important part of ultrasound diagnostics. Historically, the first evidence found in chest sonography were pleural effusions. Peripheral consolidations (pneumonia, tumors, pulmonary embolism) and pneumothorax were added later. The COVID-19 pandemic with often massive lung infestation has significantly increased the interest in thoracic sonography. The partially specific changes caused by COVID-19 are presented in this article.

Early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in patients with mild elevations of cardiac troponin.

BACKGROUND: The early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with mild elevations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) is a challenge. It is unclear whether copeptin, a marker of endogenous stress, or 1h-hs-cTn changes are better suited to address this important unmet clinical need. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of AMI to the emergency department (ED). Two independent cardiologists adjudicated the final diagnosis. Mild hs-cTn elevations were defined as 26.2 ng/L (99th percentile) to 75 ng/L for hs-cTnI, and 14 ng/L (99th percentile) to 50 ng/L (biological-equivalent to 75 ng/L for hs-cTnI) for hs-cTnT. RESULTS: Among 1356 patients, 80 (6%) had mild hs-cTnI elevations at presentation. Within this group, AMI was the final diagnosis in 39 patients (49%). The diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of AMI as quantified by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.51 (95% CI 0.39-0.64) for hs-cTnI at presentation, 0.58 (95% CI 0.45-0.71) for copeptin at presentation, and 0.78 (95% CI 0.68-0.88) for 1h-hs-cTnI changes, which was significantly higher as compared to copeptin (p = 0.02) or hs-cTnI alone (p < 0.001). The additional use of 1h-hs-cTnI changes, but not of copeptin, improved diagnostic accuracy of hs-cTnI at presentation (AUC 0.80, 95% CI 0.70-0.90; p = 0.002 for comparison). Similar findings regarding copeptin and 1h-hs-cTnT/I changes were obtained for mild hs-cTnT elevations. CONCLUSIONS: About 6-22% of patients presenting with suggestive AMI to the ED have mild hs-cTnT/I elevations at presentation. In contrast to copeptin, the addition of 1h-hs-cTn changes substantially improves the early diagnosis of AMI.