Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Using Extraordinary Optical Transmission to Quantify Cardiac Biomarkers in Human Serum
Published on: December 13, 2017
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T predicts mortality after hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia
Stefan M T Vestjens1, Simone M C Spoorenberg1, Ger T Rijkers2,3
1Department of Internal Medicine, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Insights
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels on admission predict mortality in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients. Elevated cTnT identifies patients at higher risk for both short-term and long-term death.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) hospitalization is associated with high mortality.
- Cardiovascular disease is strongly linked to CAP mortality.
- Prognostic markers for CAP mortality require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prognostic value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (cTnT) for mortality in hospitalized CAP patients.
- To determine if cTnT levels improve risk stratification beyond existing pneumonia severity scores.
Main Methods:
- Assessed cTnT levels on admission in 295 CAP patients from a randomized trial.
- Measured short-term (30-day) and long-term (4.1-year) mortality.
- Compared predictive accuracy of cTnT alone and in combination with Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) class.
Main Results:
- Elevated cTnT levels (≥14 ng/L) were found in 45% of patients.
- Patients with elevated cTnT had significantly higher short- and long-term mortality.
- cTnT combined with PSI class significantly improved short-term mortality prediction (AUC=0.903) versus PSI alone (AUC=0.818).
- A cTnT cut-off of 28 ng/L independently predicted both short- and long-term mortality.
Conclusions:
- Elevated admission cTnT levels are a potent predictor of mortality in hospitalized CAP patients.
- cTnT offers valuable prognostic information, enhancing risk stratification for CAP.
- Early identification of high-risk CAP patients using cTnT can inform clinical management.
Background And Objective:
Mortality after hospitalization with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is high, compared with age-matched controls. Available evidence suggests a strong link with cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to explore the prognostic value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (cTnT) for mortality in patients hospitalized with CAP.
Methods:
CTnT level on admission was measured (assay conducted in 2015) in 295 patients hospitalized with CAP who participated in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial on adjunctive dexamethasone treatment. Outcome measures were short- (30-day) and long-term (4.1-year) mortalities.
Results:
CTnT levels were elevated (≥14 ng/L) in 132 patients (45%). Pneumonia severity index (PSI) class was 4-5 in 137 patients (46%). Short- and long-term mortality were significantly higher in patients with elevated cTnT levels. cTnT level on admission combined with PSI classification was significantly better in predicting short-term mortality (area under the operating curve (AUC) = 0.903; 95% CI = 0.847-0.960), compared with PSI classification alone (AUC = 0.818; 95% CI = 0.717-0.919). An optimal cTnT cut-off level of 28 ng/L was independently associated with both short- and long-term mortality (OR = 21.9; 95% CI = 4.7-101.4 and 10.7; 95% CI = 5.0-22.8, respectively).
Conclusion:
Elevated cTnT level on admission is a strong predictor of short- and long-term mortalities in patients hospitalized with CAP.
More Related Videos
10:12A Sensitive and Specific Quantitation Method for Determination of Serum Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C by Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
Published on: August 8, 2013
07:40Impact of High-intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on the Cardiac Troponin T Level at an Early Stage of Training
Published on: October 10, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:26Acute Coronary Syndrome V: Nursing Management