Salivary biomarkers for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review

Domenico et al., 2023 | Int J Cardiol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Domenico Tuttolomondo, Rita Antonelli, ... Diana Cassi. Salivary biomarkers for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review. Int J Cardiol. 2023-Jan-15;371:54-64. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.09.043

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) accounts for about 7 million deaths per year worldwide. The early identification of signs and symptoms and the detection of specific serological markers of this disease are mandatory to reach a prompt diagnosis and begin potentially life-saving treatment. Point-of-care technologies applied to salivary diagnostics can provide rapid, simple, low-cost, and accurate measurements of specific markers and can also be used in emergency settings. The present systematic review was developed to answer the following question: "Are salivary biomarkers useful in identifying patients with acute myocardial infarction?" METHODS: Following the "Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis" (PRISMA) guidelines, we selected 17 papers. The critical appraisal and quality assessment were performed following the National Institute of Health and the classification of the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine. RESULTS: Twenty-six salivary biomarkers were explored in association with AMI. Troponins, C-reactive protein, and adiponectin were the most frequently investigated molecules. We found that the evaluated biomarkers had different levels of diagnostic accuracy in discriminating patients with AMI from healthy controls. We also observed a lack of good-quality studies on the association between the occurrence of AMI and the presence of related salivary biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that salivary isoforms of cardiac troponin, C-reactive protein, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) could be useful markers for the prompt diagnosis of AMI. However, the effective use of these markers as possible substitutes for serological markers should be confirmed by further studies that avoid the bias highlighted in the present review.

Key Findings

Twenty-six salivary biomarkers were explored in association with AMI. Troponins, C-reactive protein, and adiponectin were the most frequently investigated molecules. We found that the evaluated biomarkers had different levels of diagnostic accuracy in discriminating patients with AMI from healthy controls. We also observed a lack of good-quality studies on the association between the occurrence of AMI and the presence of related salivary biomarkers.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population acute myocardial infarction
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Biomarkers
  • Troponin
  • Adiponectin

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, Journal Article
  • Vertical: creatine

Provenance


Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09