New blood test could diagnose heart attacks in minutes instead of hours
A single blood test that can diagnose heart attacks in minutes instead of hours has been unveiled at Christchurch Hospital.
A research team led by Dr. Martin Than has been working for a decade to find better ways to diagnose heart attacks.
They have developed a bedside blood test that is as accurate as a clinical test.
This means that in less than eight minutes, a doctor can determine if a person coming to the emergency department with chest pain is having a heart attack.
read more:
* Paramedic who had heart attack at work joins groundbreaking study
* Medical professionals support doctor actions
* DHB failed to care for deceased man at Northland Hospital, report found
Chris Skelton/Staff
Emergency physician Dr. Martin Tan takes a blood sample from Gavin Lee.
Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department was the first hospital to begin using the Troponin blood test.
From February, 10 hospitals in Whangarei, North Shore, Waitakere, Waikato, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson and Timaru will be in use.
Health Secretary Andrew Little said the study would save the health system money and speed up treatment for patients.
Chris Skelton/Staff
Blood tests can be analyzed at the bedside as accurately as laboratory tests.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/130628970/new-blood-test-could-diagnose-heart-attack-in-minutes-instead-of-hours.html New blood test could diagnose heart attacks in minutes instead of hours
