Rural patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are transferred to metropolitan hospitals for invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Yet, many do not have obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). In this analysis of rural Western Australian patients transferred for ICA for NSTEMI, low-level elevations in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (≤5× upper reference limit) were associated with less obstructive CAD and revascularisation. Along with other factors, this may help identify rural patients not requiring transfer for ICA.
Keywords: Australia; cardiovascular disease; coronary angiography; coronary artery disease; myocardial infarction; rural.
© 2024 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Physicians.