High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background: Evidence on the use of high-sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-cTn) to risk-stratify patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is limited.

Methods: We assessed the prognostic value of preprocedural (admission) and peak postprocedural hs-cTnT in 818 patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Preprocedural and peak postprocedural hs-cTnT was measured. The primary outcome was 3-year all-cause mortality.

Results: The median values of preprocedural and peak postprocedural hs-cTnT were 153ng/L and 1980ng/L. Overall, 134 patients died during the follow-up. There were 85 deaths in patients with preprocedural hs-cTnT >median value and 49 deaths in patients with preprocedural hs-cTnT ≤median value [Kaplan-Meier estimates of mortality, 22.2% and 13.5%; unadjusted hazard ratio (HR)=1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-2.67, p<0.001]. According to peak postprocedural hs-cTnT, there were 84 deaths in patients with postprocedural hs-cTnT >median value and 50 deaths in patients with postprocedural hs-cTnT ≤median value [Kaplan-Meier estimates of mortality, 22.3% and 13.4%; unadjusted HR=1.82 (1.28-2.59), p<0.001]. After adjustment, preprocedural [adjusted HR=1.08 (1.03-1.12), p<0.001] and peak postprocedural hs-cTnT value [adjusted HR=1.06 (1.04-1.08), p<0.001] were independently associated with 3-year mortality (with risk estimates calculated per 70×99th upper reference limit of hs-cTnT). The C statistic of multivariable model increased from 0.868 (0.841-0.895) to 0.872 (0.845-0.898) after incorporation of preprocedural hs-cTnT (p=0.050) and to 0.874 (0.846-0.899) after incorporation of the postprocedural hs-cTnT into the model (p=0.035).

Conclusions: In conclusion, admission or peak postprocedural hs-cTnT is independently associated with the risk for 3-year mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

Keywords: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin; Mortality; Prognosis; ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.