Cardiac troponin–I (cTnI) is more sensitive serum marker than CKMB in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A prospective clinical study consisting of 100 AMI patients was under taken to evaluate the Cardiac troponin–I (cTnI) levels on admission with acute chest pain to ICCU. It seems reasonable for clinicians to measure cardiac troponin–I (cTnI) in patients with suspected AMI which could result in the more cost–effective use of intensive care facilities.

 Background: The diagnosis of AMI was confirmed only in 30–50% of cases at the time of admission to hospitals. This was because, ECG changes were seen only in about half of the AMI cases and approximately ¼th of patients with AMI did not present with classic chest pain and the event could go unrecognized. Therefore, in majority of patients the clinicians must obtain serum cardiac marker measurement for early diagnosis of AMI. Because earlier diagnosis gives the opportunity to the patients to receive the benefits of thrombolytic and other therapy.

Material and Methods: A total 100 patients with history of chest pain suggestive of acute myocardial infarction were included in the study. All the patients were tested for:

a) CK–MB by using immuno–inhibition methodology

b) cTnI by using a rapid immuno–chromatographic method

c) Serial ECG changes.

In proved 80 AMI cases, in samples collected in between 6–24 hours of chest pain and 42 AMI cases in samples collected in between 6–8 hours of chest pain, the sensitivity of cTnI and CK–MB was compared.

  Results: Out of 80 AMI cases, the cTnI was positive in 48 cases (60% sensitivity) and CKMB was positive in 36 cases (45% sensitivity) in samples collected between 6–24 hours of chest pain. Whereas out of 42 AMI cases, cTnI was positive in 26 cases (62% sensitivity) and CKMB was positive in 19 cases (45% sensitivity) in samples collected between 6–8 hours of chest pain.

Conclusion:

·         Cardiac troponin–I (cTnI) was more sensitive serum marker than CKMBin the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

·         It seems reasonable for clinicians to measure cardiac troponin–I (cTnI). In patients with suspected AMI which could result in the more costeffectiveuse of intensive care facilities.

·         In the future, further improvements in analytical performance may openadditional diagnostic windows.