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Review Article

Conventional and novel diagnostic biomarkers of acute myocardial infarction: a promising role for circulating microRNAs

November 2013, Vol. 18, No. 7 , Pages 547-558 (doi:10.3109/1354750X.2013.833294)
, , , , , and
1Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, Italian National Research Center on Aging (I.N.R.C.A-IRCCS),
Ancona
, Italy,
2Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche,
Ancona
, Italy,
3Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit and
4Cardiology Unit, Italian National Research Center on Aging (I.N.R.C.A-IRCCS),
Ancona
, Italy
Address for correspondence:
Rina Recchioni
, Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, Italian National Research Center on Aging (I.N.R.C.A-IRCCS),
via Birarelli 8 -- 60100 Ancona
, Italy. Tel: +39-071-800 4100. Fax: +39-071-206 791. E-mail:


Abstract

Biomarkers play a critical role in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), especially in patients with atypical clinical and/or electrocardiographic presentation or co-morbidities, like the elderly. High-sensitivity assays based on specific biomarkers (e.g. cardiac troponins) enabling earlier AMI diagnosis have recently become available in clinical practice. Although no single biomarker of myocardial necrosis is ever likely to afford AMI diagnosis, a combination including different biomarkers for necrosis and ischemia, like new circulating molecules (microRNAs), could enhance diagnostic specificity. We review the recent literature on conventional and novel AMI biomarkers, with special emphasis on circulating microRNAs.