Troponin reporting in Australia in 2003

This study uses a cross-sectional survey by questionnaire of Australia's pathology laboratories to describe how they report chemical markers for myocardial necrosis.

The questionnaire was sent to 364 laboratories; 346 (95%) responded. Reporting data were obtained for 222 instruments used to analyse markers of myocardial necrosis, some 81% of all those in Australia. All laboratories use a troponin measurement. Reports from 132 analysers (59% of total) provide one cut-off point for the diagnosis of myocardial necrosis and 90 (41%) two cut-off points. The chosen cut-off points vary. The upper limit of 'healthy' is cited, alone, in 40 reports (18%); at this level, in 2002 no analysers predictably met required precision standards. Only 50% of all reports carry some explanatory comment; only 16% of all reports cite the source of the data.

Troponin is used throughout Australia to help diagnose myocardial necrosis, but there is little order in the way the results are reported or interpreted.