A patient is being evaluated for chest pain in the emergency department.Which laboratory test is the best to determine if this patient has experienced an acute myocardial infarction?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Troponin is the preferred test to diagnose acute myocardial infarction. It is a cardiac-specific biomarker that is released into the bloodstream when damage to the heart muscle occurs. Elevations in troponin levels are highly specific for myocardial injury and can be used to confirm the diagnosis of a heart attack. Prothrombin time (B), creatine kinase-MB (C), and complete blood count (D) are not as specific for heart muscle damage and are not the preferred tests for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction.

A Patient Is Being Evaluated for Chest Pain in the Emergency