Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Point of Care Evaluation of High-sensitivity Cardiac Troponin

This research is looking at new technology to help doctors quickly find out if people coming to hospital with chest pain are having a heart attack. Currently, a blood test is sent to a lab, taking about two hours for results. This new device uses a finger-prick blood sample and provides results in around 10 minutes. If someone is having a heart attack, this means they could get life-saving treatment much sooner. For the majority of people who aren't having a heart attack, this faster test could help reassure them and allow doctors to focus on other causes for their pain, potentially leading to an earlier discharge from the hospital. The study wants to see how well this new test works and if it reduces the time to diagnosis and hospital stay.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

16 Nov 2022

Estimated completion

28 Feb 2027

Acute Coronary Syndrome

What is this study about?

Imagine you're at the hospital with chest pain, and doctors need to quickly figure out what's going on. Currently, they take a blood sample and send it to a lab to measure a protein called troponin, which is released when your heart is damaged. This process can take about two hours before doctors get the results they need to make a decision, alongside heart tracings and your symptoms. This waiting period can be anxious for you and delays important treatment if you are indeed having a heart attack.

This study is looking at a new, quicker way to do this. Researchers are testing a special device that uses just a tiny drop of blood from a finger prick – much like a test for diabetes. The exciting part is that this device can measure troponin levels and give results in about 10 minutes. This means if you are having a heart attack, doctors could find out much faster and start your treatment without delay. Similarly, if you're not having a heart attack, they could tell you sooner.

Most people who come to the hospital with chest pain are actually not having a heart attack. This new, faster test could help doctors quickly reassure these patients and then focus on figuring out what else might be causing their pain. Ultimately, this could mean less time spent waiting in the hospital for those who don't need urgent heart attack care, allowing you to go home sooner while doctors concentrate on the right next steps for you.

Key takeaways

New study testing a rapid finger-prick blood test for heart attacks.
Aims to get results in about 10 minutes, compared to current 2 hours.
Could help diagnose heart attacks sooner for quicker treatment.
Could reassure those not having a heart attack more quickly, potentially speeding up hospital discharge.
No new medications are involved; it's about testing a diagnostic device.
Participation involves extra blood samples and data collection during your hospital stay.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to adults aged 18 and over who come to the hospital with symptoms that doctors think might be a heart problem, specifically something called 'acute coronary syndrome'. This medical term covers conditions like heart attacks.

However, there are some reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if your heart tracing (an electrocardiogram or ECG) already shows a specific pattern that indicates a particular type of heart attack (called ST-segment elevation), or if you've had a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital, you wouldn't be able to participate. Also, if you can't or don't want to give your permission (consent) to be part of the study, or if you can't follow the study's instructions, you wouldn't be eligible. Lastly, if you've already been part of this specific study before, you can't join again.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you currently in hospital with symptoms that might be a heart problem?
Has your ECG (heart tracing) not shown a specific type of heart attack (ST-elevation)?
Have you *not* had a cardiac arrest before coming to the hospital?
Are you willing and able to give your permission to take part?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

As this is an observational study, taking part would mainly involve extra blood samples being taken, specifically using the new finger-prick device, in addition to the standard blood tests you would already be having. You might also be asked to complete some questionnaires. The study team will follow your progress during your hospital stay to see how the new test affects your diagnosis time and how long you stay in hospital. You would not receive any new or experimental medication as part of this study, as it's purely about testing a new diagnostic device. The total duration of your participation would be limited to your time in the emergency department and any subsequent hospital stay related to your initial visit.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of taking part is contributing to research that could lead to faster and more efficient diagnosis for future patients with chest pain. For you, it might mean getting results back sooner, which could lead to quicker treatment if you are having a heart attack, or earlier reassurance if you are not. The risks are very low, primarily involving a small pinprick each time a finger-prick blood sample is taken, which might cause a brief, mild discomfort. You are always free to withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting the care you receive.

Locations (1)

NHS Lothian
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is troponin and why is it important?

Troponin is a protein found in your heart muscle. When your heart gets damaged, for example during a heart attack, troponin is released into your bloodstream, and its levels can be measured with a blood test.

What is a 'finger-prick test'?

It's a quick and simple way to get a tiny drop of blood, usually from your fingertip, by pricking it with a small, sharp device. It's similar to how people with diabetes check their blood sugar.

Will I get my results from the new test straight away?

The study aims for the new test to give results in about 10 minutes. However, it's a research device, and doctors will still rely on all available information, including standard tests, to make treatment decisions.

Will taking part change my medical treatment?

No, your medical treatment will be based on the established care guidelines and all diagnostic information, not just the experimental test. This study is about evaluating a new tool, not directly changing your care plan based solely on its results.

What does 'observational research' mean?

Observational research means that researchers watch and collect information about what happens naturally. They are not giving you new treatments or telling doctors how to treat you; they are studying how a new tool performs alongside standard care.