RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Sixth Generation High-sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T for the Early Rule Out of Myocardial Infarction: a Controlled Before and After Study

This study is about a new and improved blood test for detecting heart attacks. When heart muscle is damaged, it releases a protein called troponin. Modern tests can find tiny amounts of this protein. A new version, called Troponin T Gen 6, has been developed to be even more accurate. Researchers want to see if using this new test helps doctors diagnose heart attacks more quickly. They hope it will help decide sooner which patients need to stay in hospital and which can safely go home. This could help reduce waiting times in NHS emergency departments. The study will look at existing hospital information and blood samples to compare the new test with the old one, focusing on patient safety and how long people stay in A&E.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

19,500

Start

01 Jun 2026

Estimated completion

01 May 2029

Myocardial Infarction

What is this study about?

Heart attacks happen when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, damaging the heart muscle. When this happens, a special protein called troponin is released into the blood. Doctors can measure this protein using blood tests to help work out if someone is having a heart attack.

Over time, these blood tests have become much more sensitive, meaning they can detect very tiny amounts of troponin. A brand new version, called the Troponin T high-sensitivity Gen 6 test, has recently been created. It's designed to be even more precise and reliable, able to spot smaller changes in troponin levels and give clearer results. The people running this study believe that this improved test could help doctors make decisions about heart attacks much faster.

The main aim of this study is to see if using this new test widely across a local health service helps to shorten the amount of time people with suspected heart attacks spend in the Emergency Department. By diagnosing faster, doctors might be able to decide sooner who needs to stay in hospital and who can safely return home. This could be a big help in reducing pressure on busy NHS emergency departments, while still making sure patients get the right care. The study will use information already collected by the hospital before and after the new test is introduced, and also compare the two tests using leftover blood samples.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates a new, more precise blood test for heart attacks.
It aims to shorten emergency department stays for patients with suspected heart attacks.
Researchers will use existing anonymised hospital data and leftover blood samples.
Participation involves no extra steps or visits for patients.
The goal is to improve rapid heart attack diagnosis and NHS efficiency.
Your personal information remains confidential throughout the study.

Who may be eligible?

To be included in this study, you would need to be 18 years old or older. You would also need to have been seen by a doctor who suspected you might be having a heart problem, specifically something called acute coronary syndrome, and you must have had at least one of the special troponin blood tests, either the older Gen 5 version or the new Gen 6 one.

People would not be included if their hospital records didn't have enough information to link everything together, or if they didn't live in Scotland. Also, if someone had been part of this particular study before, they wouldn't be included again.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Did a doctor suspect you might have an acute heart problem?
Did you have a troponin blood test (either Gen 5 or Gen 6) taken?
Do you live in Scotland?
Have you already been part of this specific study before? (If yes, you won't be included again.)

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

You wouldn't need to do anything extra to take part in this study. The researchers are using information and blood samples that are already collected as part of your normal care when you visit the hospital. This means there are no extra appointments, tests, medications, or follow-up visits specifically for this study. Your participation simply involves the researchers looking at your already-collected data and, in some cases, using leftover blood samples that would otherwise be discarded.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct risks to you from taking part, as this study only uses information and blood samples that have already been collected during your regular hospital visits. You won't have any extra procedures because of the study. The potential benefit is that the study's findings could help improve how heart attacks are diagnosed and managed for future patients in the NHS, potentially leading to faster care and reduced waiting times. As your involvement is through existing data, there's no need to 'withdraw' as you're not actively participating in new activities.

Locations (3)

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Western General Hospital
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting
St. John's Hospital
Verified postcode
Livingston, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'troponin' blood test?

It's a test that looks for a protein released into your blood when your heart muscle is damaged. It helps doctors check for heart attacks.

Why is a new test needed if we already have one?

The new test, Gen 6, is more accurate and sensitive. It's hoped it will help doctors make quicker decisions about your care.

Will I have to do anything differently if I'm part of this study?

No, you don't need to do anything. The study uses information and samples collected during your usual hospital care.

How can this study help the NHS?

By hopefully allowing doctors to diagnose heart attacks faster, it could help reduce overcrowding and waiting times in emergency departments.

Is my personal information safe?

Yes, your information is kept private. The study uses anonymised data, meaning it can't be traced back to you personally.

How to find out more

Andrew R Chapman, MD PhD

a.r.chapman@ed.ac.uk +44131 242 6200 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.