Emergency Department Triage Strategies for Acute Chest Pain Using Creatine Kinase--MB and Troponin I Assays: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Background: Evaluation of acute chest pain is highly variable. Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of strategies using cardiac markers and noninvasive tests for myocardial ischemia. Design: Cost-effectiveness analysis. Data Sources: Prospective data from 1066 patients with chest pain and from the published literature. Target Population: Patients admitted with acute chest pain. Time Horizon: Lifetime. Perspective: Societal. Interventions: Creatine kinase (CK)-MB mass assay alone; CK-MB mass assay followed by cardiac troponin I assay if the CK-MB value is normal; CK-MB mass assay followed by troponin I assay if the CK-MB value is normal and electrocardiography shows ischemic changes; both CK-MB mass and troponin I assays; and troponin I assay alone. These strategies were evaluated alone or in combination with early exercise testing. Outcome Measures: Lifetime cost, life expectancy (in years), and incremental cost-effectiveness. Results of Base-Case Analysis: For patients 55 to 64 years of age, measurement of CK-MB mass followed by exercise testing in appropriate patients was the most competitive strategy ($43 000 per year of life saved). Measurement of CK-MB mass followed by troponin I measurement had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $47 400 per year of life saved for patients 65 to 74 years of age; it was also the most cost-effective strategy when early exercise testing could not be performed, CK-MB values were normal, and ischemic changes were seen on electrocardiography. Results of Sensitivity Analysis: Results were influenced by age, probability of myocardial infarction, and medical costs. Conclusions: Measurement of CK-MB mass plus early exercise testing is a cost-effective initial strategy for younger patients and those with a low to moderate probability of myocardial infarction. Troponin I measurement can be a cost-effective second test in higher-risk subsets of patients if the CK-MB level is normal and early exercise testing is not an option.
Measurement of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels in blood samples and exercise testing is a cost-effective way of diagnosing heart attack in young patients and people with a low risk of a heart attack. CK-MB is an enzyme that is released into the bloodstream when heart muscle is damaged. Older patients and those at high risk of a heart attack should be tested for elevated blood levels of troponin if their CK-MB level is normal and they cannot participate in exercise testing.