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Updated: Feb 20, 2026
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Diagnostic performance of microRNA-133a in acute myocardial infarction: A meta-analysis
1Department of Cardiology, Xiangyang Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei Medical College, China, China. zhuleill137@163.com.
Background:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of microRNA-133a in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Methods:
Major databases including PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched for case-controlled studies comparing AMI and non-AMI patients. The outcome was evaluated by the relative expression of microRNA-133a in plasma or serum. The Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (OR) was calculated using a fixed-effects model meta-analysis for the outcome. The primary outcomes of interest were pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of microRNA-133a for AMI.
Results:
Out of 137 identified related articles, 10 were found to conform with the inclusion and ex-clusion criteria of the study. The 10 case-controlled studies contained complete data for 1,074 patients (with no restrictions of race, age or sex), and a database containing 137 patients from the registry of each study. In addition to low heterogeneity, a statistically significant increase was found in overall microRNA-133a expression between AMI vs. non-AMI; the pooled OR was 22.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.87-37.63), sensitivity was 0.84 (95% CI 0.75-0.90), specificity was 0.82 (95% CI 0.74-0.89) and area under curve (AUC) was 0.90 (95% CI 0.87-0.92).
Conclusions:
Based on the meta-analysis of ten case-controlled studies including 1,074 patients,it was found that the level of microRNA-133a in blood serum or plasma maybe used as a diagnostic biomarker of AMI.
Insights
MicroRNA-133a shows promise as a diagnostic biomarker for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This meta-analysis confirms its elevated levels in AMI patients, supporting its use in clinical diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomarker Discovery
- Cardiovascular Diagnostics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) diagnosis relies on timely and accurate biomarkers.
- MicroRNAs are emerging as potential diagnostic tools due to their stability and specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of microRNA-133a for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 10 case-controlled studies was conducted.
- Databases searched: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library.
- Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated.
Main Results:
- MicroRNA-133a expression was significantly higher in AMI patients compared to non-AMI.
- Pooled sensitivity: 0.84, specificity: 0.82, AUC: 0.90.
- Low heterogeneity observed across studies.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNA-133a in serum or plasma can serve as a diagnostic biomarker for AMI.
- This finding is supported by a meta-analysis of 1,074 patients.
- Further validation may enhance its clinical utility.
