What is Troponin test and application?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Cardiologist - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.
The troponin test is a test usually ordered by a doctor to measure troponin levels in the blood. The troponin test is commonly used in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

1. What is Troponin Test?

The troponin test is a test that determines the level of troponin in the blood. Troponin is a complex of three proteins: troponin C (found in skeletal and cardiac muscle), troponin I and troponin T (found in heart muscle). In the body, troponin is involved in the regulation of myocardial contraction. Usually troponin tests are performed primarily to quantify troponin T or troponin I.

2. Application of Troponin test?

When the heart muscle is damaged, troponin T is released into the bloodstream in large amounts over several days. Therefore, the troponin T test is considered a method to help diagnose damage to the heart. An elevated troponin T result, combined with a physical exam, helps to evaluate and identify cardiac abnormalities.
Currently, the troponin T test is used in the following cases:

Examination and diagnosis of abnormalities in the heart when the patient has clinically suspicious signs such as shortness of breath, chest pain, arrhythmia, heart palpitations, .... Examination, diagnosis and identification coronary artery disease (acute coronary syndrome) and myocardial infarction. Monitor progress, assess severity and prognosis for patients with coronary artery disease. The current troponin test has been much improved and developed thanks to the ECLIA electroluminescent immunoassay method, with the following advantages:
High sensitivity: Makes it easier to diagnose and detect cardiac lesions, from mild to severe such as arrhythmia, myocarditis to myocardial infarction, ... Short time: The test is carried out in about 3 hours, thereby quickly diagnosing and excluding the disease. .

3. Read Troponin test results

In a normal person, the troponin value is <14 ng/L (depending on the laboratory this value may vary). When troponin levels change, increase or decrease is the basis for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction and other heart damage.
When myocardial damage occurs, troponin values ​​increase >14 ng/L and peak at the onset of a heart attack. This high value can be due to: physical exertion, long time exercise; rapid heart rate; pulmonary artery pressure increases; pulmonary embolism due to thrombosis, tumor; damage to the heart due to trauma or myocarditis , heart failure , congestive heart failure , pericarditis ; coronary artery spasm; Heart surgery, stenting, ...
Troponin test will be ordered immediately for patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome or coronary artery disease. Test results provide the following information:
If troponin is <14 ng/L or increased and is in the range of 14 - 53 ng/L on the first test, 1 - 3 hours after the second test. Based on the degree of change, the doctor will conclude whether there is an acute myocardial infarction.

4. Who needs to perform the Troponin test and when?

Some groups of subjects at high risk for cardiovascular problems need to have a troponin test to detect the disease early, specifically:

People in middle age - old age (from 40 years old and above). Overweight, obese, sedentary. Smoking for a long time (>15 years). Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia. Having a stroke, kidney disease, autoimmune disease. Family history of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction. When there are signs of suspected heart damage as follows, the patient needs to see a doctor and medical facilities to be prescribed a troponin test:
Frequent shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, palpitations , prolonged anxiety. Chest pain, which begins with a heavy, burning sensation in the chest, then becomes a sudden, severe, and long-lasting pain that can radiate from the chest to the neck, shoulders, and arms. Body fatigue, often dizziness, sweating, nausea, may faint when changing emotions. Blood pressure disorders Troponin test is often indicated for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease because there are clinical signs suspicious of the disease such as chest pain, dyspnea, arrhythmia, etc. ...
To protect heart health in general and detect early signs of heart attack and stroke. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has been and continues to deploy Cardiovascular Screening Package - Basic Cardiovascular Examination. The patient examination package detects cardiovascular problems at the earliest through tests and modern imaging methods. The package is for all ages, genders and is especially essential for people with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline for support.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.