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High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Concentrations in Patients with Chest Discomfort: Is It the Heart or the Kidneys As Well?
PLoS One. 2016;11(4):e0153300
Authors: Cardinaels EP, Altintas S, Versteylen MO, Joosen IA, Jellema LC, Wildberger JE, Das M, Crijns HJ, Bekers O, van Dieijen-Visser MP, Kietselaer BL, Mingels AM
Abstract
BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-cTn) are the preferred biomarkers to detect myocardial injury, making them promising risk-stratifying tools for patients with symptoms of chest pain. However, circulating hs-cTn are also elevated in other conditions like renal dysfunction, complicating appropriate interpretation of low-level hs-cTn concentrations.
METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed in 1864 patients with symptoms of chest discomfort from the cardiology outpatient department who underwent cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). Serum samples were analyzed using hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI assays. Renal function was measured by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), established from serum creatinine and cystatin C. On follow-up, the incidence of adverse events was assessed.
RESULTS: Median hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI concentrations were 7.2(5.8-9.2) ng/L and 2.6(1.8-4.1) ng/L, respectively. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that both assay results were more strongly associated with eGFR (hs-cTnT:stβ:-0.290;hs-cTnI:stβ:-0.222) than with cardiac imaging parameters, such as coronary calcium score, CCTA plaque severity score and left ventricular mass (all p<0.01). Furthermore, survival analysis indicated lower relative risks in patients with normal compared to reduced renal function for hs-cTnT [HR(95%CI), 1.02(1.00-1.03) compared to 1.07(1.05-1.09)] and hs-cTnI [1.01(1.00-1.01) compared to 1.02(1.01-1.02)] (all p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: In patients with chest discomfort, we identified an independent influence of renal function on hs-cTn concentrations besides CAD, that affected the association of hs-cTn concentrations with adverse events. Estimating renal function is therefore warranted when interpreting baseline hs-cTn concentrations.
PMID: 27096420 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]