Point of Care Evaluation of High-sensitivity Cardiac Troponin

In this observational research project the investigators wish to test new technologies that could allow them to either detect or rule out heart attacks earlier.

Currently, when a patient attends the Emergency Department with symptoms that could be due to a heart attack, the patient has a blood test taken from a vein in the arm. This is sent to a laboratory to measure the level of a protein called troponin that is released from the heart when it is damaged. Doctors and nurses use the level of troponin measured in that blood sample, along with a tracing of the heart and an assessment of symptoms, to decide whether the patient is having a heart attack. On average, it takes about 2 hours from the patient arriving at hospital to the doctor or nurse receiving the blood test result so they can make this diagnosis.

A device has been designed that can measure troponin by using a drop of blood from a finger prick with the result available in around 10 minutes. This means that if a patient is having a heart attack we can diagnose it earlier and give them treatment. Previous studies have also showed that the majority of patients who attend hospital with chest pain ultimately do not have a heart attack. With this new device the investigators hope to be able to reassure these patients that their symptoms are not due to a heart attack, so the clinical team can concentrate on finding out what else could be causing their chest pain, and ultimately discharge them earlier.

The investigators aim to find the best way to use this new device and look at the impact this device has on the length of time from sample to diagnosis and time spent in hospital.