Catalina Island Medical Center's laboratory now has a new way to determine a patient's cardiac status, thanks to the Catalina Island Medical Center Foundation. The foundation recently purchased a troponin analyzer to supplement the hematology analyzer currently in use. Troponin is a protein that becomes severely elevated after a patient has a heart attack.

"There's not really a test that can definitively determine whether or not a patient is having a heart attack," said Dr. Paul Heiderscheidt, CIMC's staff physician. "This test comes as close to doing that as anything."

The doctor said that having a more definitive diagnosis will allow physicians to be more aggressive with treatment. "With a heart attack that's how you save lives," he said.

Laboratory Scientist Martha Hunter said the new analyzer will have a positive impact in the laboratory. "It's wonderful," she said. "We have been doing okay, but the fact that these test results will be more specific is going to help a lot more patients."

In addition to troponin, the new analyzer will also determine levels of several other elements, including CKMB and BNP. Its capabilities will also allow doctors to more accurately diagnose congestive heart failure. "There are many people in Avalon with this condition," Hunter said.

CIMC Administrator Bill Greene said that the analyzer was another example of how the foundation improves lives on Catalina Island. "Throughout the years the foundation has purchased much-needed equipment and provided essential funding for improvements," he said. "The foundation's board should be very proud of the impact they have had on the health of their community."

To make a donation to the CIMC Foundation, checks should be sent to P.O. Box 524, Avalon CA 90704. For more information about specific needs at CIMC, contact Administrator Bill Greene at 510-0700.

For more information visit www.CatalinaIslandMedicalCenter.org