Troponin - I, High sensitive (hsTnI) Test
Troponin - I, High sensitive (hsTnI) Test
Troponin-I test is a highly sensitive blood test that measures the level of troponin-I in your blood. Troponin-I is a protein particular to the heart muscle. Normally, troponin-I levels in the blood are undetectable. Troponin-I is released into the bloodstream when the heart muscle is injured or damaged. High troponin-I levels may indicate a sensitive cardiac marker for early detection of cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction (MI) and monitoring them during the acute stage of heart attack. Healthcare providers use this test in the emergency room, to screen the level of Troponin-I in your blood for the early detection of heart attacks.
Troponin-I test is also known as Cardiac troponin test (cTN), cardiac-specific troponin I and troponin T, cardiac troponin I test (cTnI).
What is a Troponin-I test used for?
Troponin-I test is used in the diagnosis of
Heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Heart stroke
Peripheral cardiac disease
Unstable angina (chest pain)
Sudden cardiac death
Symptoms of a heart attack include
Chest pain
Increased heart rate
Rapid breathing
Nausea and vomiting
Sweating
Pain in the jaw or left arm
Test Preparation
No special preparation is required for the Troponin-I test.
Interpretation of test results
Troponin-I levels in micrograms per litre (mcg/L)
|
Troponin-I (mcg/L) |
Inference |
|
0.5 mcg/L |
Normal or myocardial injury |
|
0.6-2.3 mcg/L |
Weakly positive or suggestive of myocardial injury |
|
>2.3 mcg/L |
Highly positive or suggestive of acute myocardial infarction |
Deviation from normal levels indicates the following:
· Troponin-I test is used by healthcare providers to help diagnose and monitor various causes of heart attacks.
· A heart attack is unlikely if troponin-I levels are normal 12 hours after the onset of chest pain.
· Almost everyone who has had a heart attack will have elevated Troponin-I levels after 12 hours. After a heart attack, troponin levels may continue to be high for 1 to 2 weeks.
· Troponin-I levels less than 0.5mcg/L indicates no injury to the heart muscle.
· Troponin-I levels between 0.6-2.3mcg/L indicate initiation of heart tissue damage.
· Troponin-I levels >2.3mcg/L indicate damage to the heart tissue.
· Apart from a heart attack, the following conditions are also associated with increased troponin-I levels.
o Fast heartbeat
o Elevated blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)
o Congestive heart failure
o Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
o Prolonged exercise (marathons or triathlons)
o Trauma to the heart (car accident)
o Weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
Long-term kidney disease
FAQs
How is the Troponin-I test performed?
During this blood test, a healthcare professional will take a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm, using a small needle, which is collected into a test tube or vial. This usually takes less than five minutes.
What are the risks associated with the Troponin-I test?
There are no known risks associated with the Troponin-I test. During a blood test, one may experience minor pain or bruising where the needle was inserted, but most symptoms will subside quickly.
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for the results of a Troponin-I test?
Troponin-I testing is frequently carried out in an emergency room or hospital, therefore test results will be available as soon as possible. A rapid diagnosis is essential to save a person's life in the event of a heart attack.
What further tests I might require if I have an abnormal Troponin-I test result?
If your troponin-I levels are high, you may require additional tests in order to confirm the diagnosis and to provide appropriate treatment.
Further tests could consist of:
o Imaging of your heart and lungs
o Electrocardiogram (ECG)
o Complete blood count (CBC)
Other blood tests including magnesium levels, creatinine, glucose, electrolytes, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
What might affect my troponin-I test results?
Undergoing a troponin-I test soon after the heart attack will give a false-negative result. The troponin-I levels rise in the blood 6-12 hours after a heart attack and start declining after several days. Other factors like obesity, diabetes, and past medical history might affect your test results. So, ensure your healthcare provider is properly aware of your history before undergoing this test.
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