Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2013.54.561
Timing of troponin T measurements in triage of pulmonary embolism patients
Nikola Bulj
; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Ines Potočnjak
; Department of Medicine, “Sestre Milosrdnice” University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirella Sharma
; Department of Medicine, “Sestre Milosrdnice” University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Hrvoje Pintarić
; Department of Medicine, “Sestre Milosrdnice” University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Vesna Degoricija
; Department of Medicine, “Sestre Milosrdnice” University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Aim To determine the appropriate timing of cardiac troponin
T (cTnT) measurement for the early triage of pulmonary
embolism (PE) patients.
Methods In this single-center prospective study, PE was
confirmed in all patients using computed tomography.
104 consecutive patients were divided into three groups
(high-risk, intermediate, and low-risk) based on their hemodynamic
status and echocardiographic signs of right
ventricular dysfunction. cTnT levels were measured on admission
and then after 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours with threshold
values greater than 0.1 ng/mL.
Results Intermediate-risk PE patients had higher cTnT levels
than low-risk patients already in the first measurement
(P = 0.037). Elevated cTnT levels significantly correlated
with disease severity after 6 hours (intermediate vs low risk
patients, P = 0.016, all three groups, P = 0.009).
Conclusion In hemodynamically stable patients, increased
cTnT level on admission differentiated intermediate from
low-risk patients and could be used as an important element
for the appropriate triage of patients.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
117024
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2013.
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