Readiness of clinical laboratory diagnostics and cardiologists to implement the recommendations of the fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 695-704
Author(s):  
M. F. Reznichenko ◽  
O. V. Ostrovskij ◽  
V. E. Verovsky ◽  
M. E. Statsenko ◽  
A. A. Voronkov ◽  
...  

This study describes the problems of the implementation of the fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction in the medical institutions of four cities: Volgograd (with Volzhsky), Yekaterinburg, Perm, Ufa, and districts of the Volgograd region. The multicenter study was conducted in the form of a questionnaire of specialists in cardiology and laboratory services. After a survey of cardiac specialists, it was found that a third of them did not see the benefits of the hs-cTn test recommended for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, and almost half of the specialists surveyed believed that myoglobin was a necessary test for detecting myocardial infarction. Probably, this is due to the fact that 16 clinical diagnostic laboratories from the 5 above regions still perform the determination of myoglobin in patients with suspected myocardial infarction. The material and technical support of medical and diagnostic institutions generally meets the requirements of the fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction. However, there is a problem of «qualitative» equipment of the regions of the Volgograd region, since only 3 out of 31 districts declared the possibility of carrying out a quantitative determination of hs-cTn , and qualitative analysis was carried out on platforms that are not monitored by the IFCC. It is worrying that almost half of the specialists of the clinical and diagnostic laboratories of the central district hospitals of the Volgograd region did not indicate the manufacturer of reagents for determining troponins. Thus, in the educational programs of advanced training of specialists in cardiology and laboratory services, it is necessary to include aspects related to the explanation of analytical characteristics, the characteristics of the technology for performing troponin tests and the related interpretation options for the results.

2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (22) ◽  
pp. 2173-2195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristian Thygesen ◽  
Joseph S. Alpert ◽  
Harvey D. White

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noel Namuhani ◽  
Suzanne N Kiwanuka ◽  
Martha Akulume ◽  
Simeon Kalyesubula ◽  
William Bazeyo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Clinical laboratory services are a critical component of the health system for effective disease diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention. However, many laboratories in Sub Saharan Africa remain dysfunctional. The high costs of tests in the private sector also remain a hindrance to accessing testing services. This study aimed at assessing the functionality of laboratories based on test menus and the associated constraints in Uganda. Methods This cross sectional quantitative study involved an assessment of 100 laboratories randomly selected in 20 districts from four regions of the country. Sixteen percent of the studied laboratories were regional hub laboratories. Laboratory in charges and managers in each of the selected laboratories were interviewed. A checklist for laboratory supplies adapted from the Essential Medicines and Health supplies list for Uganda, (2012) was used to assess availability of testing supplies. Data was analyzed using excel and STATA 14. Results At the point of assessment, generally, all laboratories were able to perform malaria tests and HIV tests. All the hub laboratories conducted malaria tests and TB screening. Less than half had electrolytes tests due to lack of equipment, nonfunctioning equipment and lack of reagents. Full blood count tests were missing in 25% of the hub laboratories mainly due to lack of equipment. The lack of reagents (66.7%) and the lack of equipment (58.3%) caused the majority 10/16 of the hubs to routinely referred specimens for tests that are supposed to be carried out in these laboratories due to lack of reagents (66.7%) and non-functional equipment (58.3%). Although officially recognized as an operational structure, Hub laboratories lacked a list of essential and vital supplies. Conclusions Most laboratories performed well for the common tests. However, many laboratories did not meet testing requirements especially for the advanced tests according to standard testing menus for Uganda due to non-functioning equipment, lack of equipment and reagents. Hubs lack list of essential supplies. Therefore, there is need to provide equipment to laboratories, repair the non-functional ones and develop an essential list of supplies for the hub laboratories.


Kardiologiia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-95
Author(s):  
Andrey V. Sherashov ◽  
A. S. Shilova ◽  
E. S. Pershina ◽  
D. Yu. Shchekochikhin ◽  
A. V. Svet ◽  
...  

The review focused on a relatively new issue, myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). According to current ideas, almost 6% of all myocardial infarction (MI) cases may be MINOCA. This term can be used both as a “working diagnosis” at the time of further evaluation and a final diagnosis after establishing a cause for each specific case. Since some variants of cardiac, including non-coronary, pathology may be similar to MI in a number of signs, each individual case of MINOCA requires specification. Among major causes for this condition are vasospasm, CA embolism, spontaneous CA dissection, rupture of an eccentric atherosclerotic plaque in a CA, etc. Diagnostics of MINOCA includes both a set of diagnostic tests for verification of the MI diagnosis according to the Fourth Universal Definition of MI and specific studies for elaboration of the disease etiology. A special role in differential diagnostics belongs to gadolinium-enhanced magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) of the myocardium, which allows to distinguish between MI and non-ischemic myocardial injury of different genesis. Methods of intravascular visualization, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound are also important. Commonly accepted guidelines on the treatment of this pathology consistent with current ideas are not available. However, it is obvious that therapeutic possibilities and prognosis for MINOCA depend on the identified cause in each individual case.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Jain ◽  
Andrew Hammes ◽  
Eric Rudofker ◽  
Karen Ream ◽  
Andrew E Levy

In the United States, the positive predictive value (PPV) of cardiac troponin for type 1 myocardial infarction is substantially lower than in Europe (15% vs. 50%). Further, even with publication of the 4 th Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction, recent studies have shown that inaccurate classification of myocardial injury is common among clinicians in the United States. These findings are at least partly attributable to clinicians’ knowledge and attitudes about cardiac troponin testing; a survey of these parameters has never been conducted. Clinicians at the University of Colorado completed a brief 8-question multiple-choice survey related to troponin use, definitions of myocardial infarction and clinical assessment of elevated troponin levels. The survey was distributed via secure email and administered electronically using the Qualtrics™ platform. Responses were anonymous, completion was estimated to take 3 minutes and a lottery award system was used as an incentive for participation. Respondents included trainees, advanced practice providers and attending physicians from internal medicine, emergency medicine and medical subspecialties. We plan to obtain a total of 300 responses with descriptive findings of preliminary results included below. The survey was completed by 114 clinicians: 37 interns (32%), 45 residents (39%), 9 advanced practice providers (8%), 11 fellows (10%), and 12 attending physicians (11%). Regarding indications for troponin testing, 93% (106/114) indicated that they “usually” or “always” check troponin levels in patients with chest pain. More interestingly, 46% (52/112) reported checking troponin on “undifferentiated patients” at least half the time. For troponin interpretation, 97% (110/114) of participants identified that troponin levels alone cannot rule in or rule out coronary artery disease. In contrast, only 36% (41/114) and 55% (63/114), respectively, identified the NPV and PPV of a contemporary troponin assay for type 1 MI. Further, only 50% (57/114) of respondents identified that the likelihood of type 1 MI increases as troponin levels increase. Three brief clinical vignettes revealed that, while 78% (89/114) and 74% (45/61) of participants, respectively, identified type 1 MI and type 2 MI presentations, only 40% (21/53) of respondents correctly identified a vignette for non-ischemic myocardial injury. Concordant with this finding, 54% (61/114) of clinicians correctly identified the 4 th Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction. These preliminary findings highlight important facets of clinician attitudes and knowledge about troponin testing that help explain the poor PPV for troponin and diagnostic misclassification observed among U.S. clinicians. These results could help guide curricular and clinical decision support interventions designed to improve the use and interpretation of cardiac troponin testing.


2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 484-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul Anand ◽  
Anoop S V Shah ◽  
Agim Beshiri ◽  
Allan S Jaffe ◽  
Nicholas L Mills

Abstract BACKGROUND The universal definition of myocardial infarction (UDMI) standardizes the approach to the diagnosis and management of myocardial infarction. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin testing is recommended because these assays have improved precision at low concentrations, but concerns over specificity may have limited their implementation. METHODS We undertook a global survey of 1902 medical centers in 23 countries evenly distributed across 5 continents to assess adoption of key recommendations from the UDMI. Respondents involved in the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome completed a structured telephone questionnaire detailing the primary biomarker, diagnostic thresholds, and clinical pathways used to identify myocardial infarction. RESULTS Cardiac troponin was the primary diagnostic biomarker at 96% of surveyed sites. Only 41% of centers had adopted high-sensitivity assays, with wide variation from 7% in North America to 60% in Europe. Sites using high-sensitivity troponin more frequently used serial sampling pathways (91% vs 78%) and the 99th percentile diagnostic threshold (74% vs 66%) than sites using previous-generation assays. Furthermore, high-sensitivity institutions more often used earlier serial sampling (≤3 h) and accelerated diagnostic pathways. Fewer than 1 in 5 high-sensitivity sites had adopted sex-specific thresholds (18%). CONCLUSIONS There has been global progress toward the recommendations of the UDMI, particularly in the use of the 99th percentile diagnostic threshold and serial sampling. However, high-sensitivity assays are still used by a minority of sites, and sex-specific thresholds by even fewer. Additional efforts are required to improve risk stratification and diagnosis of patients with myocardial infarction.


2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (18) ◽  
pp. 2231-2264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristian Thygesen ◽  
Joseph S. Alpert ◽  
Allan S. Jaffe ◽  
Bernard R. Chaitman ◽  
Jeroen J. Bax ◽  
...  

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