A Case-based Analytical Review on How to Evaluate Elevated Troponin Levels in Patients Excluding Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

The role of troponin in the evaluation and assessment of cardiac emergencies has always been appreciated. It has always played a great role in helping physicians diagnose conditions such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and occlusion myocardial infarction (OMI). However, over the past few years, it has been estimated that troponin is also increased in a few other conditions apart from myocardial infarction. It is undoubtedly the elevated titres of Troponin I an T that help in making the conclusive diagnosis in patients with the respective pathologies. The most common reasons for which Troponin levels could be increased include injury to the myocytes, necrosis of the mycoytes, apotosus and cell turnover of the myocytes and an overall imbalance or uncontrolled metabolic activity in the myocytes’ oxygen and supply demand. The most common cardiac pathologies that lead to the elevation of troponin levels include heart failure, dissection, and dyssrhythmia. However, there are some other non-cardiacc causes as well that cause elevated troponin levels, including pulmonary embolism, sepsis, and stroke. Since all these conditions are highly serious and emergency conditions, it is important for all the pghysicans to take into account all of the patient’s signs and symptoms, radiological and ultrasound findings before diving into their interventional plan. This is important because of the high mortality rates and chances of misdiagnosis attached to it.