COVER STORIES

Since the introduction of cardiac troponin testing in the early 1990s, there have been questions about the clinical significance of elevations in this biomarker, questions that have continued as more sensitive assays to measure cardiac troponin have been developed. Recently, an expert panel of cardiologists, emergency physicians, and laboratory scientists developed a consensus document on practical clinical considerations in interpreting troponin values, not only in patients with suspected cardiovascular conditions, but also in those with no known cardiac disease.

According to some hospital executives and industry observers, the days of big profits for outreach testing are gone, and many labs could soon find themselves cut out of the market by health plans eager to forge better deals with independent commercial labs.

SERIES ARTICLE

In recent years, overdoses from and hospital admissions for synthetic cannabinoids have spiked, bringing to light the need for assays that can detect these drugs with accuracy. Laboratories must overcome unique problems to help identify users, because illegal drug makers continue to synthesize new compounds to circumvent the law and detection.

NEWS BRIEF

INSIDE

AACC's 2012 Board of Directors has endorsed a strategic plan to ensure the association's ability to adapt to the rapidly changing healthcare industry and continued global leadership in the advancement of clinical laboratory science and medicine.

PROFILES