Diagnostic value of ischemia-modified albumin in acute coronary syndrome and acute ischemic stroke

Objective: To investigate diagnostic value of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in patients applying to emergency with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: Two patient groups (ACS and AIS) and a control group were constituted. The study was discontinued upon reaching 30 patients in each group. Following patient approval at the initial visit, a total of 10 ml venous blood sample was obtained from all patients with a high clinical suspicion of ACS and AIS. The Troponin I and the IMA levels were determined in the blood samples. Results: Statistically significant higher IMA values were determined in the patient groups compared to the control group (p < 0.001 for both groups). No statistically significant correlation was found between the IMA and the Troponin I values in the ACS and the AIS groups (p>0.05 for both groups). The sensitivity of IMA was 83% and 87% for ACS and AIS, respectively. The specificity of IMA was 90% and 87% for ACS and AIS, respectively. Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity values, determined according to the optimal cut-off values in the groups demonstrated that IMA could be a useful diagnostic marker in ACS and AIS patients.