Biomarkers in acute coronary syndrome

Early diagnosis and treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is important to protect as much myocardium at risk as possible. Medical history, 12-lead ECG and serial measurement of cardiac troponins are considered the cornerstones of ACS diagnosis. Through the development of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays, shortened intervals of serial measurement could be established due to increased sensitivity. As a result, many patients with low risk could be discharged earlier from the emergency department, and, at the same time, patients who benefited from early invasive strategy and admission to the coronary care unit could be identified rapidly. This review is intended to provide an overview of the latest advances in the area of early detection of ACS.