High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin for the Rapid Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Emergency Department

When patients present to the emergency department with chest pain, investigations are needed to rule out acute coronary syndrome and acute myocardial infarction. One of the investigations used is cardiac troponin. Cardiac troponin is a biomarker that indicates cardiac muscle damage.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) is undertaking an optimal use project that will include several components comparing conventional and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays:

• Diagnostic test performance in an emergency department setting
• Clinical effectiveness in patients with acute coronary syndrome symptoms in an emergency department setting
• Cost-effectiveness in patients with acute coronary syndrome symptoms in an emergency department setting
• Budget impact.

The objective of this project is to determine, when evaluating patients presenting in the emergency department with chest pain,

• Is there a preferred cardiac troponin test?
• What are the strategies for the optimal use of cardiac troponin tests?

The project aims to provide health professionals, policy-makers, and patients with the evidence-based resources they need to make informed decisions.

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