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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Troponin T elevation after implanted defibrillator discharge predicts survival
D Blendea1, M Blendea, J Banker
1Department of Medicine, Cardiac Electrophysiology Service, Bridgeport Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, Bridgeport, CT 06610, USA. dblendea@me.com
Elevated cardiac troponin T (cTnT) after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) discharges indicates a higher risk of mortality. This finding is independent of other known survival predictors in patients receiving ICD therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) elevations are observed post-implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) discharge.
- The prognostic value of these cTnT elevations remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if cTnT elevations after ICD discharges impact patient survival.
- Investigate the independent prognostic significance of post-discharge cTnT levels.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 174 patients undergoing spontaneous or induced ICD discharges.
- Measured cTnT levels 12-24 hours post-discharge; assessed relationship with all-cause mortality via univariate and multivariate analyses.
Main Results:
- A median follow-up of 41.8 months revealed 56 deaths.
- Patients with cTnT levels ≥0.05 ng/ml exhibited significantly worse survival.
- The association between elevated cTnT and mortality persisted after adjusting for clinical factors.
Conclusions:
- Elevated cTnT after ICD discharge is an independent risk factor for mortality.
- This risk is present even after device testing and is not explained by common clinical predictors.
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