Performance of the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: A rapid rule-out or rule-in protocol based on the 0-hour/1-hour algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) is recommended by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC); recently multiple studies have validated it in their settings. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the 2015 ESC guidelines for management of acute coronary syndrome in patients without ST-segment elevation 0-hour/1-hour algorithm using hs-cTn for the early rule-out and rule-in of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on presentation. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted using PubMed, the Cochrane Library and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to identify prospective studies from 2015 to October 2019 involving adults presenting to the emergency department with possible acute coronary syndrome in which hs-cTn measurements were obtained according to the ESC algorithm and AMI outcomes were adjudicated during the initial hospitalization. Results: Eleven studies, involving 19,213 patients, were identified. Pooled prevalence of AMI during the index hospitalization was 11.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9-18.8%). Summary sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing AMI were 99% (95% CI 98-99%;I(2)63%) and 91% (95% CI 91-92%;I(2)96%) respectively. The summary positive likelihood ratio was 11.6 (95% CI 8.5-15.8;I(2)97%) and the pooled likelihood ratio negative 0.02 (0.01-0.03;I(2)52%). Cumulative all-cause mortality at 30 days in the rule-out group was 0.11%, and 2.8% in the rule-in group, and 30 days AMI in the rule-out group was 0.08%. Conclusion: The ESC 0-hour/1-hour algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin has high diagnostic accuracy; it allows safe rule-out as well as accurate rule-in of AMI, with low cumulative 30-day mortality and AMI in patients assigned the rule-out zone.