By Bill Freeman
A newly available test will enable doctors to determine whether a patient sustained heart damage in just 6-hours, whereas current tests take 1-2 days. To carry out the new test doctors measure levels of an enzyme called creatine kinase MB mass while continuously monitoring the electrical activity of the heart for 6-hours.
A newly available test will enable doctors to determine whether a patient sustained heart damage in just 6-hours, whereas current tests take 1-2 days. To carry out the new test doctors measure levels of an enzyme called creatine kinase MB mass while continuously monitoring the electrical activity of the heart for 6-hours. 60% of patients admitted to hospital with chest pain in the US remain there for up to 2-days. Researchers say the test will help to reduce this number by quickly and accurately determining which patients could have been sent home and which need hospital care, thus saving money and improving the quality of care for other patients.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: British Medical Journal 2001; 323:372-374