Photonic Crystal Sensors for the Rapid Detection of Myocardial Ischemia

Coronary Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and was responsible for approximately one of every five deaths in 2003 [1]. Unnecessary admissions to US Hospitals of patients with suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is estimated to cost about 12 billion dollars a year [2]. The earliest biochemical markers currently assayed do not appear in the blood for hours after the onset of chest pain; a rapid test for myocardial ischemia would help to expedite treatment and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions [3].