[Troponin I in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism].
OBJECTIVE
To study the frequency in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) of an elevated troponin I and the associated characteristics.


METHODS
Prospective study of 29 consecutive patients with PTE.


RESULTS
Troponin I was determined in 22 patients. The median age was 78.1 years. Ten (45.5%) had an elevated troponin I, with a median level of 1 ng/ml (range 0.7-3.1 ng/ml). The diagnostic delay was lower in patients with an elevated troponin I (2 +/- 1.7 vs. 5.9 +/- 5.6 days, p = 0.04). Three (30%) of 10 patients with an elevated troponin I had midthoracic pain. Patients with an elevated troponin I had a higher frequency of arterial hypotension (40 vs. 16.7%), respiratory failure (70 vs. 58.3%) and electrocardiographic overload right heart data (50% vs. 33.3%), although without reaching statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
A slightly elevated troponin I is frequent in patients with PTE. The early diagnosis may increase the frequency of an elevated troponin I. The coexistence of an elevated troponin I and midthoracic pain may simulate an acute coronary syndrome. In patients with PTE, an elevated troponin I may associate to some severity criteria such as arterial hypotension, respiratory failure and electrocardiographic overload right heart data.
Calvo Romero
J M
JM
Medicina Interna, Hospital de Zafra, Zafra, Badajoz. jmcromero@eresmas.com
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood*
D019210:Troponin I