Publication

Implementation of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays in the United States.

Journal : Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Authors : McCarthy C, Li S, Wang TY, Raber I, Sandoval Y, Smilowitz NR, Wasfy JH, Pandey A, de Lemos JA, Kontos MC, Apple FS, Daniels LB, Newby LK, Jaffe AS, Januzzi JL
10.1016/j.jacc.2022.10.017 : DOI
36328155 : PMID
PMC10037558 : PMC-ID

Background

Few data exist regarding the implementation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays in the United States since their approval.

Objectives

This study sought to explore trends in hs-cTn assay implementation over time and assess the association of their use with in-hospital cardiac testing and outcomes.

Methods

The study examined trends in implementation of hs-cTn assays among participating hospitals in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Chest Pain-MI [Myocardial Infarction] Registry from January 1, 2019 through September 30, 2021. Associations among hs-cTn use, use of in-hospital diagnostic imaging, and patient outcomes were assessed using generalized estimating equation models with logistic or gamma distributions.

Results

Among 550 participating hospitals (N = 251,000), implementation of hs-cTn assays increased from 3.3% in the first quarter of 2019 to 32.6% in the third quarter of 2021 (P < 0.001). Use of hs-cTn was associated with more echocardiography among persons with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS; 82.4% vs 75.0%; adjusted odds ratio: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.19-1.73) but not among low-risk chest pain individuals. Use of hs-cTn was associated with less invasive coronary angiography among low-risk patients (3.7% vs 4.5%; adjusted odds ratio: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.58-0.92) but similar use for patients with NSTE-ACS. There was no association between hs-cTn use and noninvasive stress testing or coronary computed tomography angiography testing. Among individuals with NSTE-ACS, hs-cTn use was not associated with revascularization or in-hospital mortality. Use of hs-cTn was associated with a shorter length of stay (median 47.6 hours vs 48.0 hours; ratio: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90-0.98).

Conclusions

Implementation of hs-cTn among U.S. hospitals is increasing, but most U.S. hospitals continue to use less sensitive assays. The use of hs-cTn was associated with modestly shorter length of stay, greater use of echocardiography for NSTE-ACS, and less use of invasive angiography among low-risk patients.