Cardiac Biomarkers and the Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction in Women

Abstract

Purpose of review: Women with suspected acute coronary syndrome are less likely to undergo investigation or receive treatment than men, and women consistently have poorer outcomes. This review summarises how the latest development in cardiac biomarkers could improve both diagnosis and outcomes in women. Recent findings: Novel high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays have identified differences in the reference range and therefore diagnostic threshold for myocardial infarction in men and women. These differences are present across multiple populations with different ethnic backgrounds and for a range of assays. The use of a uniform threshold for cardiac troponin does not provide equivalent prediction in men and women, with lower thresholds needed for women to provide comparable risk stratification. Summary: Sex differences in cardiac troponin concentrations are not widely recognised in clinical practice and may be contributing to the under-diagnosis of myocardial infarction in women and discrepancies in patient care and outcomes.