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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

A Sensitive and Specific Quantitation Method for Determination of Serum Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C by Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
10:12

A Sensitive and Specific Quantitation Method for Determination of Serum Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C by Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay

Published on: August 8, 2013

Early identification of acute myocardial infarction by activated protein C--protein C inhibitor complex

Pallonji Bhiladvala1, Karin Strandberg, Johan Stenflo

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Lund University, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden. johan.holm@skane.se

Thrombosis Research
|August 16, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Elevated activated protein C-protein C inhibitor (APC-PCI) complexes may help detect myocardial infarction earlier than traditional markers. This study evaluated a new assay for APC-PCI in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiology
  • Diagnostic Assays

Background:

  • Coronary thrombosis activates the protein C anticoagulant system, forming activated protein C-protein C inhibitor (APC-PCI) complexes.
  • Elevated APC-PCI levels may indicate increased coagulation activity and potentially signal myocardial infarction.
  • Traditional biochemical markers for myocardial infarction have limitations in early detection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate a novel immunofluorimetric assay for measuring plasma APC-PCI complex concentrations.
  • To determine if APC-PCI levels can aid in the earlier detection of myocardial infarction in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome.

Main Methods:

  • 340 patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome were enrolled.
  • Blood samples were collected for repeated measurements of APC-PCI, Troponin I, and Creatine kinase-MB.
  • Electrocardiograms were recorded upon presentation.

Main Results:

  • Patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction had significantly higher median APC-PCI levels (0.27 microg/L) compared to those without (0.20 microg/L).
  • Higher APC-PCI levels (fourth quartile, >0.32 microg/L) independently predicted myocardial infarction with an odds ratio of 3.7.
  • APC-PCI elevation was detectable even with normal initial Troponin I levels in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Conclusions:

  • Early detection of elevated APC-PCI complexes is possible in acute coronary syndrome.
  • APC-PCI serves as an additional risk assessment tool for myocardial infarction.
  • The novel assay shows promise for improving early diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
Abstract

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