Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) recently became the first facility in the nation to implement high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I testing.  Troponins are a group of proteins found in skeletal and heart (cardiac) muscle fibers that regulate muscular contraction.  Troponin tests measure the level of cardiac-specific troponin in the blood to help detect heart injury.  Detection of an elevated cardiac troponin is defined as a myocardial injury.  The injury is considered acute if there is a rise and/or fall of cardiac troponin values.
 
“LMHS strives to identify areas of need in which we can provide advanced medical services locally,” said Rob Montagnese, Licking Memorial Health Systems President & CEO.  “While this test is expected to be the standard of care soon, we are proud to be a leader in the nation, elevating our quality of care for the Licking County community.”
 
Following a physician evaluation, patients entering the Emergency Department (ED) suffering from heart attack symptoms normally receive a blood test to measure their troponin.  The high-sensitivity troponin I test requires a blood draw immediately, performed by ED staff and again at one- and two-hour intervals, performed by a Laboratory phlebotomist.  Results provide confirmation or denial of a cardiac event with 98 percent assurance.  Within three hours, physicians can determine if a patient needs to be admitted for further cardiac care or can be discharged safely.    
 
“The precision of this test is extremely valuable,” explained Lorei Reinhard, Director of Laboratory Services.  “The results help physicians better manage cardiac patients in the ED.  It is especially helpful with female patients who often present with atypical symptoms.  The level of care needed can be determined much more quickly, in turn producing better outcomes for all patients.”
 
High-sensitivity troponin I recently was approved by the Federal Drug Administration.  The American College of Cardiology released the new testing functionality in August 2018 and LMH began utilizing it in October 2018.