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Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the world's leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Therefore, quick and reliable diagnostics of AMI is extremely critical. Compared to the traditionally used central laboratory tests (CLT), which can be time-consuming and expensive, point-of-care testing (POCT) for AMI-indicative cardiac markers provides a convenient means for rapid diagnostic assays to be performed at the site of patient care delivery. In this article, the etiology and diagnosis of AMI are introduced, and some typical cardiac markers and their clinical applications are reviewed. Furthermore, the various POC cardiac marker devices that are currently available, the benefits of using cardiac marker POC assays, and challenges that cardiac marker POCT are facing are also discussed.

A.c. impedance spectroscopy has been used to study the adsorption of a protein (bovine serum albumin) on calcium-ion-selective electrode, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membranes. Protein adsorption reduced the exchange of ions across the membrane—solution interface as shown by the presence of a second semicircle in the spectra. Adsorption is fast and its extent smaller if a high ratio of ligand to calcium ion is used in the membrane. Protein can be removed from the surface by successive washing.

The properties of calcium ion-selective, polyvinyl chloride membranes have been determined from ac impedance spectra. The bulk membrane resistance does not stabilize before 2 days of contact with aqueous solutions, suggesting that the usually adopted overnight conditioning period is too short. The effect of using different plasticisers and ligand/calcium ion ratios in the membrane permits optimization of membrane composition for the chosen ionophore ETH1001.