Combined measurements of plasma copeptin and troponin-I levels for early exclusion of acute myocardial infarction

Background Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an acute stress state in which plasma copeptin rises. The combination of copeptin and troponin has been suggested to improve the diagnostic performance of acute MI in chest pain patients at time of presentation in the emergency department. Objective To investigate the correlation of plasma copeptin levels for early exclusion of acute myocardial infarction in combination with troponin-I. Methods This study was conducted in Cairo University hospitals on 40 patients presented to the critical care department with chest pain within 6 h of pain onset as a primary symptom of acute coronary syndrome. Baseline demographic characteristics and clinical data were collected prospectively. Plasma copeptin levels and cTnI were measured by ELISA technique. The primary outcome was diagnosis of AMI. Results A negative copeptin and cTnI at baseline ruled out AMI with a negative predictive value of 100%. AMIs not detected by the initial cTnI alone were picked up with copeptin >15.6 pg/ml in first 6 h from onset of chest pain which was confirmed by repeated troponin within 12 h from onset of chest pain. Conclusion Combined measurements of troponin and copeptin aid in early and safe rule-out of AMI.