Evaluation of a 1-hour troponin algorithm for diagnosing myocardial infarction in high-risk patients admitted to a chest pain unit: the prospective FAST-MI cohort study

ObjectiveThis study sought to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the 1-hour troponin algorithm for diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) without persistent ST-segment elevations (non-ST-segment MI (NSTEMI)) in a cohort with a high prevalence of MI. This algorithm recommend by current guidelines was previously developed in cohorts with a prevalence of MI of less than 20%.DesignProspective cohort study from November 2015 until December 2016.SettingDedicated chest pain unit of a single referral centre.ParticipantsConsecutive patients with suspected MI were screened. Patients with subacute symptoms lasting more than 24 hours, new ST-segment elevations at presentation, or an already diagnosed or ruled-out acute MI were excluded. All enrolled patients (n=1317) underwent a full clinical assessment and measurements of high-sensitivity troponin, and were scheduled for an early invasive strategy if clinically indicated.Main outcome measuresFinal diagnosis of MI according to the Fourth Universal Definition of MI.ResultsThe prevalence of NSTEMI in the present cohort was 36.9%. The sensitivity for rule-out of MI was 99.8%. The specificity for rule-in of MI was found to be 94.3%. However, in 35.7% of patients neither rule-in nor rule-out was possible. In 51.4% of patients diagnosed with MI, a primary non-coronary reason for MI was found (type 2 MI). Different receiver operating characteristic-curve derived cut-offs for troponin and its dynamics did not provide a sufficient differentiation between type 1 and 2 MI for clinical decision making (negative predictive value for rule-out of type 1 MI