Research & Innovation

Global healthcare company Abbott has developed a new diagnostic test which could allow doctors to diagnose and treat heart attacks hours faster than when using standard tests.

Preliminary results from a recent study also suggest that the new Architect high sensitive Troponin-l (hsTnl) test may help doctors improve the diagnosis and prognosis of patients presenting with symptoms of a heart attack – this could be particularly beneficial for women, who are often under-diagnosed.

The test will be used initially at the Mater Misericordiae University and Mater Private Hospitals, Dublin, and it likely to be then adopted at other key cardiology centres throughout Ireland.

“Use of this test could speed up the process whereby patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes are evaluated,” said Dr Niall Mahon, consultant cardiologist, Mater Misericordiae University and Mater Private Hospitals, Dublin.

“What this could mean is that high-risk patients may be identified and treated at the earliest opportunity, but also that low-risk patients can be reassured and discharged. This has obvious benefits for both patient care and resource utilisation,”

Abbott’s diagnostics facility in Longford has played an integral role in supporting research and development colleagues in the US to bring this innovative diagnostic test to the market by working on the development phase.

In addition, Abbott Longford manufactures assays for worldwide use. “Abbott Longford was chosen to manufacture this innovative product because of our strong record of compliance, emphasis on quality, ability to bring products to market efficiently, the security of our manufacturing environment and the quality of our technical and operational staff,” said Stefan Molitor, site director, Abbott Diagnostics Longford.