High sensitivity troponin T concentrations in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery: A prospective cohort study

Objectives: To determine the proportion of noncardiac surgery patients exceeding the published 99th percentile or change criteria with the high sensitivity Troponin T (hs-TnT) assay. Design and methods: We measured hs-TnT preoperatively and postoperatively on days 1,2 and 3 in 325 adults. Results: Postoperatively 45% (95% CI: 39-50%) of patients had hs-TnT >= 14 ng/L and 22% (95% CI: 17-26%) had an elevation (>= 14 ng/L) and change (>85%) in hs-TnT. Conclusion: Further research is needed to inform the optimal hs-TnT threshold and change in this setting. (C) 2011 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.