Step 1: Understanding acute myocardial infarction (MI).
Acute myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. Diagnosing MI early is critical for treatment.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) Troponin I: This is the most sensitive and specific biomarker for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction. Elevated levels indicate heart muscle damage.
(2) Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB): CK-MB is less sensitive and specific than troponin I for diagnosing MI.
(3) Myoglobin: Myoglobin is an early marker but lacks specificity for diagnosing MI. It can be elevated in other conditions.
(4) Electrocardiogram (ECG): While ECG is crucial in diagnosing MI, it may not always detect early infarction, making troponin I more reliable.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The most sensitive test for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction is (1) Troponin I.