A DIAGNOSTIC TEST developed and being manufactured in Longford could be an important weapon in the arsenal of doctors trying to assess if someone is having a heart attack.

The test – called the ARCHITECT Stat High Sensitive Troponin-I – is being used at the Mater public and private hospitals in Dublin at the moment and it is hoped that it will be rolled out at other cardiology units across the country.

It is able to measure very low levels of the protein known as cardiac troponin, which indicates someone is having a heart attack. However, previous tests through blood sample could only measure this protein when it reached a certain level, which could delay diagnosis by a few precious hours.

Dr Niall Mahon said that this test – developed by Abbott Longford – could “speed up” the diagnosis of serious heart attacks and help medics to intervene quicker. The speed factor is particularly helpful in diagnosing women who might be having a heart attack as they can show different symptoms from men and are generally under-diagnosed and under-treated for heart attacks.

He said:

The high-sensitive assay (test) may help physicians to rule in and rule out acute myocardial injury… the sensitivity of this assay is unique in that it has potential for earlier diagnosis in women.

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