Evaluation of human serum albumin cobalt binding assay for the assessment of myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction.

Background: Clinical diagnoses were correlated with results of a Co(II)-albumin binding assay in 167 patients treated at an emergency department of a health maintenance organization.

Methods: Patients were evaluated as being nonischemic or potentially ischemic through standard coronary disease indicators [creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, cardiac troponin I, and electrocardiographic findings] and were tested by a Co(II)-albumin binding assay. Samples were tested anonymously, and the study was double-blinded.