Clinical significance of serum cardiac troponin T in patients with congestive heart failure
Xue, C.; Yu, H.; Li, R.; Wo, J.; Cui, J.; Cheng, H.; Wang, H.; Guan, Q.; Suo, X.; Jia, R.
Chinese Medical Journal 116(3): 469-471
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0366-6999 PMID: 12781062 Document Number: 557851
Objective: To determine whether the level of serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) was increased in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods: This study consisted of 265 patients with CHF and 75 healthy people. Serum cTnT was measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay using an Elecsys 1010 automatic analyzer. Results: cTnT concentration was 0.181+-0.536 ng/mL in CHF patients and 0.003+-0.001 ng/mL in controls (P<0.001). Patients were categorized according to the levels of heart function and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). In the first group consisting of 105 patients with LVEFltoreq35%, cTnT was 0.311+-0.221 ng/mL. In the second group of 106 patients with LVEF>35%, cTnT was 0.07+-0.05ng/mL (P<0.01). In patients with NYHA class I, II, III and IV, cTnT values were 0.062+-0.022 ng/mL, 0.113+-0.121 mg/mL, 0.191+-0.231 mg/ml and 0.384+-0.211 mg/mL, respectively (class I vs class II P>0.05, class II vs class III P<0.01, class III vs class IV P<0.01). A negative correlation was observed between serum cTnT concentration and LVEF in 265 patients with CHF (r=-0.493, P<0.001). Conclusions: This study shows that the level of serum cTnT is increased in patients with CHF and that the increased level indicates the severity of CHF.