Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in patients with acute chest pain and compare it with standard cardiac markers. Methods: We undertook a prospective evaluation of 100 consecutive patients admitted with acute chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), cardiac troponin T (cTnT), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) mass, myoglobin, and H-FABP were determined at presentation and 2, 4, 8–10, and 16–24 hours after presentation. The main outcome measure was the best sensitivity value within 6 hours after symptom onset. Results: H-FABP peak concentration occurred at 8 hours after symptoms onset and was the most sensitive early marker with 79.9% and 98% of patients with AMI identified at presentation and 2 hours after presentation respectively. The sensitivity of all other cardiac markers (CK-MB mass, cTnI, cTnT, and myoglobin) at presentation was < 62%. The negative predictive value of H-FABP (94%) was also superior to other markers within the first 2 hours of presentation. Myoglobin was the second most sensitive early marker at presentation. Peak sensitivity of cTnI, CK-MB mass, and cTnT were present at 4, 8–10, and 8–10 hours respectively after presentation. Conclusion:Combined measurement of H-FABP and cTnI on two occasions during the first 8 hours after symptom onset was sufficiently sensitive and specific for the early diagnosis of most patients with acute MI and may provide advantages over other cardiac marker combinations.
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.18295/2075-0528.1157
- Journal
- Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 10(1), 41-49
- Publisher
- Sultan Qaboos University
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-ND 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Alhadi, H. A., & Fox, K. A. (2025). Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein in the Early Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction: The potential for influencing patient management. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 10(1), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.1157
MLA 9
Alhadi, Hafidh A., and Keith AA Fox. "Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein in the Early Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction: The potential for influencing patient management." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 10, no. 1, 2025, pp. 41-49. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.1157.
Chicago (author–date)
Alhadi, Hafidh A., and Keith AA Fox. 2025. "Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein in the Early Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction: The potential for influencing patient management." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 10 (1): 41-49. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.1157.
Harvard
Alhadi, H. A. and Fox, K. A. (2025) 'Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein in the Early Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction: The potential for influencing patient management', Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 10(1), pp. 41-49. doi:10.18295/2075-0528.1157.
Vancouver
Alhadi HA, Fox KA. Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein in the Early Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction: The potential for influencing patient management. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;10(1):41-49. doi:10.18295/2075-0528.1157
IEEE
H. A. Alhadi, and K. A. Fox, "Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein in the Early Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction: The potential for influencing patient management," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 41-49, 2025, doi: 10.18295/2075-0528.1157.