A groundbreaking blood test developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University can diagnose heart attacks in just five to seven minutes, a major improvement over current diagnostic methods that can take hours. The tool marks a significant leap forward in early detection. It could be adapted for use by first responders. It is also suitable for home use.
Heart attacks, affecting over 800,000 people annually in the U.S. alone, require immediate medical intervention to improve survival rates and minimize damage. However, diagnosing them quickly can be difficult, especially outside of hospital settings. At present, patients undergo a series of tests. These include electrocardiograms and blood work. The results can take more than an hour to deliver.
Lead author Peng Zheng is an assistant research scientist at Johns Hopkins University. He emphasizes the importance of quick diagnosis: “We managed to invent a new technology. This tool can quickly and accurately find out if someone is having a heart attack.” This new blood test offers rapid results. It takes just minutes instead of hours. This speed gives healthcare professionals the ability to intervene much sooner.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE TEST
The heart of the innovation is a tiny chip with a nanostructured surface that allows blood to be analyzed almost instantly. The chip’s “metasurface” amplifies electric and magnetic signals during Raman spectroscopy, a laser-based method used to detect the biomarkers that indicate a heart attack. The technology is so sensitive it can detect these biomarkers even in ultra-low concentrations, catching warning signs early in the attack when treatments are most effective.
“We’re talking about speed, we’re talking about accuracy, and we’re talking about the ability to perform measurements outside of a hospital,” said Ishan Barman, senior author and bioengineer at Johns Hopkins. The researchers believe that this tool is not only faster but also more accurate and affordable than current diagnostic techniques.
POTENTIAL FOR EMERGENCY AND HOME USE
The test was developed for clinical settings. Yet, it has the potential to become a portable, hand-held device. This device would be akin to a “Star Trek tricorder.” First responders could use it in the field to diagnose heart attacks on the spot. Eventually, it could be available for home use. This availability would allow individuals to check their heart health without needing to go to the hospital.
“This could revolutionize the way heart attacks are diagnosed and treated,” said Barman. “In the future, we hope this could be made into a hand-held instrument. You would have a drop of blood and then, voilà, in a few seconds you have detection.”
WIDER APPLICATIONS: DETECTING CANCER AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
While the first focus of this blood test is on heart attack detection, the technology has broader applications. Researchers believe it be adapted to recognize cancer and infectious disease biomarkers, offering a wide array of diagnostic possibilities.
“There’s enormous commercial potential,” Barman said, pointing to the versatility of the platform. “There’s nothing that limits this technology to just heart attacks.”
LOOKING AHEAD: CLINICAL TRIALS AND REFINEMENT
The researchers plan to refine the test and expand its applications through larger clinical trials. They aim to make this technology widely available. This can transform how heart attacks and other serious conditions are diagnosed. Potentially, it may save countless lives by reducing diagnostic time.
