Essential biomarkers for evaluating heart function and diagnosing acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.
4
Markers
ACS
Primary Use
High
Priority
Medical Disclaimer
For Educational Purposes Only: This content is intended for educational reference and should not be used for clinical decision-making.
Not a Substitute for Professional Judgment: Always consult your local protocols, institutional guidelines, and supervising physicians.
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The clinical content and references are curated and reviewed by myself; however, AI was used to assist in organizing, paraphrasing, and formatting the information presented.
About This Panel
The cardiac panel is a collection of blood tests used to evaluate heart function and diagnose cardiac conditions. These biomarkers are essential in the assessment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction, heart failure, and other cardiovascular emergencies.
Modern cardiac biomarkers have revolutionized the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients presenting with chest pain and suspected cardiac events. Understanding the timing, sensitivity, and specificity of each marker is crucial for appropriate clinical interpretation.
Clinical Applications
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS): Primary use in diagnosing STEMI, NSTEMI, and unstable angina
Myocardial Injury: Detection of cardiac damage from trauma, sepsis, or other non-ischemic causes
Heart Failure: Assessment of decompensated heart failure and volume status
Risk Stratification: Prognostic information for cardiac patients
Serial Monitoring: Tracking progression or resolution of cardiac events
Individual Cardiac Markers
Troponin I & T
Normal: <0.04 ng/mL (varies by assay)
Gold standard biomarker for myocardial injury. Highly sensitive and specific for detecting cardiac damage. Essential for ACS diagnosis and risk stratification.
Creatine kinase MB isoenzyme. Traditional cardiac marker, now largely replaced by troponin. Useful for detecting reinfarction and procedural complications.
