A £50 blood test that diagnoses a potentially deadly heart muscle inflammation could be available within a year, scientists have said.
The researchers said this test would help identify those with myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle that can often be fatal – and get them early lifesaving treatment.
The test is based on research published in the journal Circulation, which showed that T-cells – which are a certain type of white blood cells – express a molecule called cMet in the blood, which is an indicator of myocarditis.
Professor Federica Marelli-Berg, British Heart Foundation professor of cardiovascular immunology at Barts and the London, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), said: “Early intervention is crucial when treating myocarditis as, in some cases, it can be only a matter of weeks between the onset of symptoms and development of heart failure.
“But without a diagnosis doctors can’t offer their patients the right treatment.
“We think that this test for myocarditis could be a simple addition to the routine blood tests ordered in doctors’ surgeries.
“When viewed in combination with symptoms, the results could allow GPs to easily determine whether their patients have myocarditis.
“While we still need to confirm these findings in a larger study, we’re hopeful that it won’t be long until this blood test is in regular use.”
Myocarditis usually occurs following a viral infection.
While some people have no symptoms, in others it can cause chest pains, palpitations and shortness of breath.
This blood test could revolutionise the way we diagnose myocarditis, allowing doctors to step in at a much earlier stage to offer treatment and support
Professor Sir Nilesh Samani
Myocarditis is a difficult condition to diagnose as symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions.
It is estimated that one young person dies suddenly every week in the UK due to previously undiagnosed myocarditis.
The incidence of myocarditis is approximately 1.5 million cases worldwide per year.
The current gold standard method for diagnosis is a heart biopsy – which is invasive and risky and can sometimes still miss signs of the condition.
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For the study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, the researchers compared blood samples from several groups of patients, including 34 diagnosed with myocarditis.
Findings showed patients with myocarditis had significantly increased levels of T cells with cMet on their surface compared to other groups, the researchers said.
The team said its work adds to the evidence that myocarditis is an autoimmune condition.
Tests on mice showed that blocking cMet with a widely available drug reduced the severity of their myocarditis – which the researchers also want to investigate further.
Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Myocarditis is a notoriously tricky condition to diagnose and sadly some patients will suffer irreversible damage to their hearts because of the lack of accessible diagnostic tests.
“This blood test could revolutionise the way we diagnose myocarditis, allowing doctors to step in at a much earlier stage to offer treatment and support.
“It would also reduce the need for the risky, invasive tests currently used, saving the NHS time and money and freeing up vital resources.”
