Troponin test

Troponin test is a blood test used primarily to diagnose myocardial infarction (heart attack). The test measures the levels of troponin T or troponin I proteins in the blood. These proteins are released when the heart muscle has been damaged, such as occurs with a heart attack. The more damage there is to the heart, the greater the amount of troponin T and I there will be in the blood.

Overview

The troponin test is considered the most sensitive and specific test for myocardial infarction. It can detect even very small heart attacks. The test is typically ordered when a patient comes to the emergency room with chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack. It is often repeated two more times over the next 24 hours to see how the levels change.

Procedure

The troponin test is a simple blood test. A healthcare provider will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected into a test tube or vial. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Interpretation

The results of the troponin test are usually available within a few hours. Normal troponin levels 24 hours after a chest pain episode virtually rule out a diagnosis of a heart attack. Elevated troponin levels indicate that a heart attack has occurred.

Limitations

While the troponin test is very specific for myocardial damage, it does not indicate the cause of the damage. Other conditions such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), and chronic kidney disease can also cause elevated troponin levels.

See also

• Cardiac marker
• Electrocardiogram
• Heart disease
• Coronary artery disease