Increasing Serum Troponin I and Early Prognosis in Patients with Chest Pain or Angina Equivalent Symptoms in the Emergency Department

BACKGROUND The purpose of this research was to determine the relation between negative or positive qualitative troponin I test and the short term prognosis of patients presenting to emergency department with chest pain or angina equivalent symptoms. METHODS we assessed the qualitative rapid troponin I in patients with chest pain or angina equivalent symptoms after at least 4 hours and then we followed the patients in 72 hours after presentation for adverse events such as death, CCU admission, fatal arrhythmias and heart failure. RESULTS After comparing qualitative troponin I test results and adverse events, we concluded that the troponin I was significantly more positive in patients with adverse events (i.e. CCU admission, fatal arrhythmias and heart failure) (P=0.031). CONCLUSION A single measurement of rapid qualitative troponin I test can be used as a prognostic factor in patients with chest pain or angina equivalent symptoms and also as a device for risk stratification of moderate and high risk patients.