Elevated Troponin

An increased serum concentration of cardiac troponin (troponin I or T) above the reference limit (normal: <14 ng/L; indeterminate: 14–30 ng/L; elevated: >30 ng/L), reflecting myocardial injury due to damage and release of cardiac muscle proteins into the circulation.

Causes

• Acute myocardial infarction

• Coronary artery disease with myocardial ischemia

• Heart failure

• Myocarditis

• Pericarditis

• Arrhythmia

• Cardiomyopathy

• Pulmonary embolism

• Severe pulmonary hypertension

• Systemic illness

  • Sepsis

  • Stroke

  • Intracranial hemorrhage

  • Severe hypoxia

• Trauma and physical stress

  • Cardiac trauma

  • Major surgery

  • Intense endurance exercise

• Kidney failure (reduced clearance)

• Medications and toxins

  • Chemotherapy

  • Carbon monoxide poisoning

  • Cocaine

  • Methamphetamine