Background and method: This study uses a cross-sectional survey by questionnaire of Australia's pathology laboratories to describe how they report chemical markers for myocardial necrosis.
Results: The questionnaire was sent to 364 laboratories; 346 (95%) responded. Reporting data were obtained for 222 instruments used to analyse markers of myocardial necrosis, some 81% of all those in Australia. All laboratories use a troponin measurement. Reports from 132 analysers (59% of total) provide one cut-off point for the diagnosis of myocardial necrosis and 90 (41%) two cut-off points. The chosen cut-off points vary. The upper limit of 'healthy' is cited, alone, in 40 reports (18%); at this level, in 2002 no analysers predictably met required precision standards. Only 50% of all reports carry some explanatory comment; only 16% of all reports cite the source of the data.
Conclusions: Troponin is used throughout Australia to help diagnose myocardial necrosis, but there is little order in the way the results are reported or interpreted.
