TruQuick™ cTnI
TruQuick cTnl is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of human cardiac Troponin I in whole blood, serum or plasma as an aid in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI).
SUMMARY AND EXPLANATION OF THE TEST Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) is a protein found in cardiac muscle with a molecular weight of 22.5 kDa.1 Toponin I is part of a three subunit complex comprising of Troponin T and Troponin C. Along with tropomyosin, this structural complex forms the main component that regulates the calcium sensitive ATPase activity of actomyosin in striated skeletal and cardiac muscle.2 After cardiac injury occurs, Troponin I is released into the blood 4-6 hours after the onset of pain. The release pattern of cTnI is similar to CK-MB, but while CK-MB levels return to normal after 72 hours, Troponin I remains elevated for 6-10 days, thus providing for a longer window of detection for cardiac injury. The high specificity of cTnI measurements for the identification of myocardial damage has been demonstrated in conditions such as the perioperative period, after marathon runs, and blunt chest trauma.3 cTnI release has also been documented in cardiac conditions other than acute myocardial infarction (AMI) such as unstable angina, congestive heart failure, and ischemic damage due to coronary artery bypass surgery.4 Because of its high specificity and sensitivity in the myocardial tissue, Troponin I has recently become the most preferred biomarker for myocardial infarction.5
TruQuick cTnl is a simple test that utilizes a combination of anti-cTnI antibody-coated particles and capture reagent to detect cTnI in whole blood, serum or plasma. The minimum detection level is 0.5 ng/mL.
- Bring the pouch to room temperature before opening it. Remove the Test Cassette from the sealed pouch and use it as soon as possible.
- Place the cassette on a clean and level surface.
- For Serum or Plasma specimen:
- Hold the dropper vertically and transfer 2 drops of serum or plasma (approximately 50 μL) to the specimen area, then add 1 drops of Buffer (approximately 40 μL), and start the timer. See illustration below.
- For Venipuncture Whole Blood specimen:
- Hold the dropper vertically and transfer 3 drops of whole blood (approximately 75 μL) to the specimen area, then add 1 drops of Buffer (approximately 40 μL), and start the timer. See illustration below.
- For Fingerstick Whole Blood specimen:
- To use a capillary tube: Fill the capillary tube and transfer approximately 75 μL of fingerstick whole blood specimen to the specimen area of Test Cassette, then add 1 drop of Buffer (approximately 40 μL) and start the timer. See illustration below.
- To use hanging drops: Allow 3 hanging drops of fingerstick whole blood specimen (approximately 75 μL) to fall into the specimen area of Test Cassette, then add 1 drop of Buffer (approximately 40 μL) and start the timer. See illustration below.
- For Serum or Plasma specimen:
- Wait for the colored line(s) to appear. Read results at 10 minutes. Do not interpret the result after 20 minutes.
- Adams JE, et al. Biochemical markers of myocardial injury. Is MB creatine kinase the choice for the 1990s? Immunoassay Circulation. AMA. 1993;88:750-763.
- Mehegan JP, Tobacman LS. Cooperative interaction between troponin molecules bound to the cardiac thin filament. J Biol Chem. 1991;266-966.
- Adams JE, Sicard GA, Allen BT, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Davila-Roman VG, et al. Diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction with measurement of cardiac troponin I. N Engl J Med. 1994;330:670-674.
- Hossein-Nia M, et al. Cardiac troponin I release in heart transplantation. Ann Thorac Surg. 1996;61:227.
- Alpert JS, et al. Myocardial infarction redefined, Joint European Society of Cardiology American College of Cardiology: J Am Coll Cardio. 2000;36(3):959.