Thrombus precursor protein (TpP): marker of thrombosis early in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction.

We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay for quantifying the immediate precursor proteins to intravascular thrombi. This thrombus precursor protein (TpP) assay identifies active thrombosis in several clinical conditions, including early myocardial infarction (MI). In a study of patients recruited for the GUSTO intervention study, MI patients had concentrations of TpP 4-20-fold that of controls; patients diagnosed without MI had concentrations similar to the control subjects. In a separate study of subjects presenting at the emergency room with chest pain, MI patients who presented early after the onset of chest pain had TpP concentrations significantly (P <0.01) higher than controls. Patients presenting late or diagnosed with other chest pain had concentrations within the reference range. The potential utility of the TpP assay as an aid for the diagnosis of thrombotic MI and other thrombotic conditions is described.