Albumin Cobalt Binding Test (ACB Test) (Ischemia-modified Albumin [IMA])

Albumin Cobalt Binding Test (ACB Test) (Ischemia-modified Albumin [IMA])

<85 U/mL

Arrow_balck Marble or gold-top tube.

A cardiac marker test. The binding properties of albumin change when it comes into contact with ischemic heart tissue (ischemia-modified albumin [IMA]), making it less able to bind with cobalt. When a cobalt solution is added to the serum, cobalt binds to the normal albumin but not to IMA. More free, or unbound, cobalt indicates the presence of abnormal albumin.
Allows a greater window of time for therapeutic intervention, as other markers only detect cardiac muscle necrosis, not ischemia.

NI Level rises within a few minutes of the onset of cardiac ischemia. Used with ECG and troponin levels to evaluate etiology of chest pain.