New research, supported by the British Heart Foundation, has led to the development of a rapid blood test that can identify whether someone is experiencing a heart attack in just 20 minutes. Traditionally, when patients arrive at a hospital with chest pain, blood samples are sent to a lab to measure troponin—a protein released when the heart muscle is damaged. However, lab results can take up to two hours, delaying crucial treatment.
This innovative test, pioneered in a study led by Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand, allows clinicians to perform the troponin check at the bedside using a small cartridge and an analyzer device. The study, conducted across six hospitals, found that patients tested with this rapid method were admitted to wards or sent home an average of 47 minutes faster than those undergoing standard testing.
Some hospitals in the UK have already begun using the new test, aiming to reduce long waiting times and ease overcrowding in NHS emergency departments. Experts also see potential for the test’s use in GP clinics and chest pain clinics, enhancing early detection of heart attacks that might otherwise be missed.
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Nicholas Mills, BHF Professor of Cardiology at the University of Edinburgh, explained, “Currently, blood samples are sent off to a lab, and results can take as long as two hours. By the time results return, the attending healthcare professional may no longer be present, leading to unintended delays. Real-time testing within minutes improves patient care and reduces anxiety.”
Professor Mills added, “Importantly, this approach could alleviate pressure on busy emergency departments, allowing patients to move through more efficiently.”
The study also confirmed that the risk of death or recurrent heart attack within 30 days was similar whether patients received the standard or rapid test, proving the faster method’s safety and reliability.
This breakthrough offers a promising advance in emergency cardiovascular care by delivering quicker diagnosis and treatment for patients at risk of heart attacks.