Serum Cardiac Troponin I concentrations in cats with anaemia - a preliminary, single-centre observational study
S M Lalor1, D A Gunn-Moore, R Cash
1Division of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh.
Insights
Cats with anaemia showed higher serum cardiac troponin I concentrations, indicating potential cardiac myocyte damage. Further research is needed to confirm if anaemia causes this damage in felines.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Feline Medicine
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Anaemia is linked to cardiovascular issues in various species.
- The association between feline anaemia and cardiac myocyte damage is not well-established.
- Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a sensitive indicator of myocardial injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of cardiac myocyte damage in anaemic cats.
- To compare serum cTnI concentrations between anaemic and non-anaemic ill cats.
- To determine if anaemia is associated with elevated cardiac biomarkers in cats.
Main Methods:
- Serum cTnI levels were measured in 18 anaemic cats.
- Serum cTnI levels were measured in 31 non-anaemic ill cats with excluded primary cardiac, renal, or hematological disorders.
- Statistical analysis compared cTnI concentrations between the two groups.
Main Results:
- Anaemic cats exhibited significantly higher serum cTnI concentrations (0.43 ng/mL) compared to non-anaemic ill cats (0.04 ng/mL).
- A significantly greater proportion of anaemic cats (12/18) had elevated cTnI levels above a defined threshold (0.16 ng/mL) than non-anaemic cats (7/31).
Conclusions:
- Feline anaemia is associated with increased serum cTnI concentrations.
- The findings suggest a potential link between anaemia and cardiac myocyte damage in cats.
- Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the causal relationship between anaemia and elevated cTnI.
Objectives:
A range of cardiovascular abnormalities have been associated with anaemia. However, it remains unclear whether anaemia is associated with cardiac myocyte damage in cats. The aim of this study was to assess if cats with anaemia have an increased prevalence of cardiac myocyte damage, as assessed by serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I, compared to non-anaemic, ill cats.
Methods:
Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured in 18 anaemic cats and in 31 non-anaemic, ill cats with non-primary cardiac, non-renal and non-primary haematological disorders.
Results:
The serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in the anaemic group (0·43 ng/mL) were significantly higher (P=0·0002) than in the non-anaemic ill group (0·04 ng/mL). Using a cut-off of less than 0·16 ng/mL, 12 of the 18 anaemic cats had an increased serum cardiac troponin I concentration, which was significantly higher (P=0·005) than the non-anaemic ill cats (7 of 31 cats).
Clinical Significance:
Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were higher in cats with anaemia in this study. Further studies are required to establish whether the anaemia or other confounding factors is the cause of the increased serum cardiac troponin I concentrations.
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