Int J Angiol 2007; 16(2): 53-58
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1278248
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A review of troponins in ischemic heart disease and other conditions

Nedaa Skeik1,2,3 , Deevia Chandrakant Patel2,4
  • 1Assistant Professor, University of Southern Maine, Maine, Medical Instructor, Dartmouth Medical School, New Hampshire, Internist, St Mary's Regional Medical Center, Lewiston, Maine, USA
  • 2Associate Member, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
  • 3St Mary's Regional Medical Center, Lewiston, Maine, USA
  • 4Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield, Maine, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
30 April 2011 (online)

Abstract

Measuring cardiac troponin (cTn) I and T levels is currently considered to be a cornerstone for making the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Based on current literature, cTnI and cTnT are known to be very sensitive and specific for myocardial damage, regardless of the underlying cause. Lately, it has been found that cTns can be elevated and reflect worse prognoses in many situations where ACS is excluded. Such information can affect the validity of cTns as markers for ACS without classic symptoms. This may call for a revision of the troponin cutoff values to make a diagnosis of ACS. Furthermore, it opens a new field of study to determine appropriate management of patients with elevated cTn levels in whom ACS has been excluded.

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