Rapid troponin test as a diagnosis of myocardial infarction

A troponin test for myocardial infarction is recommended for the rapid diagnosis of a person with symptoms of an attack. The peculiarity of such an analysis is that it can be carried out at home. The procedure is quite simple and clear, and the result is as accurate as possible. The presence in the blood of a certain amount of troponin protein indicates the development of a heart attack. Early diagnosis will allow timely start of medical therapy, will ensure a positive outcome.

What is known about troponin

Troponin is not a substance, but a whole complex of proteins that have their permanent residence in the human body. In a normal, healthy state, the presence of protein compounds is observed only in the heart muscle - the myocardium. At the same time, it is impossible to detect them there, they are not present in the blood. Troponins affect the smooth muscle of the myocardium, contribute to its correct contraction.

When the cardiovascular system fails, due to the increased load, pathologies of the myocardial tissue occur. Heart cells (cardiomyocytes) gradually die off, necrosis occurs. The released proteins reach the circulatory system. Troponin levels become several hundred times higher than normal. A blood test at this time will show the development of a heart attack.

• The protein substance TnT (troponin T), in addition to myocardial tissue, is also present in the epithelium and muscles of other organs. But the amino acid composition of the heart protein is different. In myocardial cells, it binds to another enzyme, tropomyosin, forming the troponin-tropomyosin complex. The norm of TnT in cardiomyocytes is 65-70% of the total protein of this group.

• Troponin I is a particularly sensitive marker (indicator) in cardiology. It affects the uniformity of myocardial contractions, reduces the activity of adenosine triphosphatase enzymes. The content of this component in the cells of the heart is small, so a significant increase in the level in the blood is evidence of the onset of necrosis.
• The TnC protein is involved in calcium processes in the myocardium. But identical in composition, troponin is present in other cells of the body. Therefore, it does not act as a marker for detecting necrotic changes in cardiac fibers. Diagnostic tests for suspected heart attack do not take into account the level of this protein.

The normal operation of the entire protein complex ensures regular contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle.

When conducting a blood test for troponin during a heart attack, the indicators of the first two types of protein (T and I) are taken into account. If the interpretation of the results revealed both markers, this indicates an active process of death of cardiomyocytes and a threat to human health.

You can test for cardiac troponins immediately after the onset of symptoms of a heart attack. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then in half an hour a high concentration of protein will be in the blood.

TnI is considered the earliest, because it enters the bloodstream immediately after the onset of the process of myocardial cell death. You can find it for another week, no longer. The highest concentration of this protein is observed 15-19 hours after the onset of dangerous symptoms (pressure surges, chest pain).

According to statistics, 93% of patients with acute myocardial infarction had an elevated level of troponin I in the blood after 8 hours.

The TnT protein is determined during the analysis already 4-5 hours after the thrombosis of the coronary arteries occurs. This marker is longer observed in the blood at elevated concentrations - up to 2-3 weeks.

Based on the characteristics of the duration of the presence of different troponins in the blood serum, the doctor prescribes tests to identify one or the second type of protein. If it is necessary to urgently draw up a clinical picture and start treatment, then they resort to a test for TnI. This marker will immediately determine whether changes in heart tissue have occurred.

TnT indicators are more often used in the course of therapeutic therapy of patients with ischemia and coronary disorders syndrome. The doctor monitors the patient's condition, adjusts the treatment based on the test results. Also, the analysis of cardiac markers helps to predict the survival of a person who has had a heart attack.

The advantage of such testing is the ability to find out when an attack occurred. After all, often signs of coronary disorders appear much later than the onset of pathological changes. Doctors set this figure based on the level of troponins.

Indications for the test

• sharp pain in the chest;
• feeling short of breath;
• pressure drops;
• increased heart rate;
• sudden weakness in the whole body;
• hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating);
• dizziness;
• visual impairment;
• blanching of the skin.

1. To assess the risk of pathology.
2. To monitor the results of treatment.
3. To determine the duration of the disease.
4. During preparation for surgery.
5. To predict the effectiveness of a therapeutic course.

• elderly age;
• male gender;
• smoking;
• jumps in blood pressure;
• alcohol abuse;
• pathology of the heart or blood vessels;
• weight is more than normal.

Types of analyzes

To determine whether troponin has risen, as happens with a heart attack, there are two methods for conducting an analysis:

• qualitative;
• quantitative.

The first option is a test strip, which can be bought at every pharmacy. This method is characterized by availability and fast response. After all, you can test at home, immediately after the appearance of unpleasant symptoms. The analysis indicates the presence or absence of a cardiac marker in the blood.

The second method requires a visit to the clinic and blood sampling for further research. This analysis indicates the exact amount of different types of troponin. This method is more informative, but it takes time to conduct and obtain results. Doctors use it during medical therapy to monitor the patient's condition.

The result of a quantitative analysis must be correctly deciphered by a specialist. Based on the indicators of markers, the doctor prescribes a course of treatment.

How to take a test

Each person can test for myocardial infarction on their own. People at risk can carry it with them for a quick response to dangerous symptoms.

1. Warm up your finger with massage movements.
2. Pierce it with a quick movement.
3. Take blood from a finger.
4. Place 4 drops in the indicator cell.
5. Wait 15 minutes.
6. Look at test results.

A change in the color of one strip (zone C) indicates the absence of heart pathologies. If both strips (T and C) are colored (possibly in different shades), the result is positive. There may be cases when the color of the indicators has not changed, this indicates a test failure. Then you need to reanalyze.

It is necessary to carry out the procedure more than once in order to obtain a reliable result. In addition, even with negative indicators, you should consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

The patient's serum or plasma is used for analysis. Biochemical studies indicate the concentration of cardiomarkers T and I in the material.

The final diagnosis is made after additional examinations. The doctor conducts a thorough examination of the patient, prescribes an electrocardiogram, an ultrasound examination of the heart. Only a complete picture provides an opportunity for effective therapeutic therapy.

Reliability of the result

The test scores have a high percentage of reliability. After all, a specific protein exists only in the heart, and its presence in the bloodstream indicates myocardial necrosis.

1. The test has expired.
2. There are problems with the analysis due to violation of the integrity of the package, incorrect storage conditions;
3. The test was carried out immediately (1.5-2 hours) after the signs of an attack. It is necessary to wait more, approximately 5-6 hours. This is the time for troponin to reach blood flow.

• skeletal muscle injury;
• chronic ischemia.

The T-marker has more possible reasons to level up.

• myocarditis;
• heart surgery;
• angina pectoris
• chest trauma;
• performing a heart transplant;
• hypotension or arterial hypertension;
• microinfarction;
• performing surgical procedures affecting the myocardium (bypass);
• arrhythmia, tachycardia;
• acute poisoning by the decay products of alcohol;
• pericarditis;
• pathology of the blood supply to the brain;
• formation of pulmonary thrombi.

Carrying out an analysis of the amount of protein in the blood is an effective method for detecting pathologies of the cardiovascular system at an early stage. The cost of the drug is low, which allows you to use it when needed. It is better to play it safe and conduct an express analysis if the first signs of a heart attack appear. The test for the presence of troponins allows you to timely diagnose necrosis, provide effective treatment, and prevent complications of myocardial infarction.