The measurement of troponin T in the blood is used to diagnose or rule out acute myocardial infarction, to monitor acute coronary syndromes and assess their prognosis, and to monitor patients with non-ischemic heart lesions.
Troponin T measurement is performed with 5th-generation reagents (high-sensitivity Troponin T, hs-cTnT), which are much more accurate, sensitive, and specific than previous generations of reagents.
More Information
Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a subunit of the actin-myosin complex, the contractile protein of the muscle fibril found only in the myocardium. Troponin T (cTnT) and cardiac-specific troponin I are the two isoforms that leak into the bloodstream during myocardial necrosis. Because of their very low to undetectable values in the serum of healthy people and their rapid rise (they are detectable within 1 hour after myocardial cell damage), these ultrasensitive markers are widely used in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, mainly for the detection of silent myocardial infarctions and microinfarcts as well as in cases of chest pain that are not accompanied by the characteristic changes of the electrocardiogram (ECG).
Both tests (troponin I and T) have similar accuracy in identifying acute myocardial injury. Some studies have found a correlation between the degree of elevation of troponin I and T and the severity and extent of coronary lesions, angina pectoris, and ECG changes. Thus, troponin I and T values may help predict the outcome of cardiac events. Troponins may remain elevated 4-9 days after the onset of infarction.
Possible Interpretations of Abnormal Values
- Increased Troponin T: Acute myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, heart failure, muscle damage, renal failure.
