Troponin T changes in acute ischemic stroke.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) elevation signifies myocardial injury but also occurs in conditions like acute ischemic stroke.
• The diagnostic and prognostic role of cTnT in acute ischemic stroke requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between elevated cTnT levels and stroke severity, location, and patient outcomes.
• To determine if cTnT is a predictor of prognosis in acute ischemic stroke.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 385 acute ischemic stroke patients within 72 hours of onset, classified by TOAST criteria.
• Serum cTnT levels measured using a high-sensitivity assay (cut-off 0.01 ng/ml), dividing patients into elevated (n=42) and normal (n=343) cTnT groups.
• Prognosis assessed using 30-day modified Rankin Scale and NIHSS scores.

Main Results:

• Elevated cTnT was observed in 10.91% of patients.
• Higher frequency of insular lobe involvement in the elevated cTnT group (31% vs. 16%, p=0.040).
• Patients with elevated cTnT exhibited greater stroke severity and worse short-term outcomes (30.95% vs. 19.82%, p=0.013).

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum cTnT is an independent and powerful predictor of poor prognosis in acute ischemic stroke.
• cTnT serves as a marker for stroke severity, insular lobe lesions, and adverse outcomes.
• cTnT is a sensitive marker of myocardial damage in acute ischemic stroke, particularly with insular lesions affecting autonomic balance.