Use of high-sensitivity troponin for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction

Although there is broad consensus that cardiac troponin I or T (cTn) is the preferred biomarker and complements clinical assessment and the 12-lead ECG in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, important uncertainties and questions remain on the value of high-sensitivity cTn assays, including their best clinical use. Although these assays have been introduced clinically in many countries, they still await regulatory approval in the USA. This review summarizes the recent advances and potential pitfalls in the clinical application of high-sensitivity cTn assays in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.