Impact of troponin I on outcome of ischemic stroke patients.
BACKGROUND
Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Cardiac troponins have been found to be increased in other conditions apart from the cardiac diseases, such as stroke. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between elevated troponin I levels and stroke outcome.


METHODS
This retrospective study included 198 acute ischemic stroke patients in whom troponin I levels have been obtained at admission. Exclusion criteria were concomitant acute coronary syndrome, congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and septic conditions.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of deaths during hospitalization (p = 0.041) and modified Rankin Scale scores (p = 0.016) between the group of patients with elevated troponin I levels and the control group. Prior ischemic strokes were more common in the group with elevated troponin I levels (p = 0.032). No other differences were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that patients with elevated initial troponin I levels are associated with unfavorable outcome or death. Stroke may be associated with mild elevation of troponin levels, contrary to higher levels which are usually related to other conditions.
Hrvoje
H
Budincevic
Josip
J
Sremec
Petra
P
Crnac
Vedran
V
Ostojic
Edvard
E
Galic
Ivan
I
Bielen
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019210:Troponin I