Cardiac troponins: myocardial injury and interpretation
THE CONTEXT
Troponin I and troponin T are structural cardiac muscle proteins whose release during myocyte necrosis underpins their diagnostic use.
Diagnostic role
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Cardiac troponin I and troponin T are released during myocyte necrosis and are the cornerstone of diagnosing acute myocardial infarction.
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Modern assays are extremely sensitive and detect minor degrees of myocardial injury.
Elevation outside acute myocardial infarction
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Elevated plasma troponin concentrations may occur in pulmonary embolus, septic shock and pulmonary oedema.
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Troponin concentrations may be chronically elevated in heart failure or left ventricular hypertrophy. An elevated result therefore needs interpretation in its clinical setting.