Troponin T (Highly Sensitive)

CPT Code(s):
84484

Turnaround Time:
24 - 72 hours

Specimen Requirements

Preferred Specimen:
Plasma

Minimum Volume:
0.8 mL

Transport Container:
Green-Top Tube (Lithium Heparin)

Transport Temperature:
Refrigerate

Collection Instructions:
Centrifuge and transfer separated heparin plasma to a plastic transport tube. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.

Rejection Criteria:
Sample other than lithium heparin plasma

Stability Criteria

Room Temperature:
Unacceptable

Refrigerated:
24 hours

Frozen:
12 months

Clinical Significance

Troponin has specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in evaluating cardiac health and diagnosing conditions such as heart attack (myocardial infarction). Here are some key points regarding its clinical significance:

1. Cardiac Muscle Damage: Troponin is a protein released into the bloodstream when there is damage to the heart muscle. Troponin measures the levels of troponin in the blood and serves as a sensitive and specific marker of cardiac muscle injury.

2. Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI): Elevated troponin levels are the gold standard for diagnosing AMI. When a person experiences chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of a heart attack, a Troponin is typically performed. A significant rise and fall in troponin levels over time, along with clinical symptoms, electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, and other diagnostic criteria, confirm the diagnosis of AMI.

3. Risk Stratification: Troponin testing helps stratify patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) into different risk categories. High troponin levels indicate a greater likelihood of adverse cardiac events and are associated with increased mortality. This information guides treatment decisions, such as the need for immediate intervention or more aggressive management.

4. Monitoring Cardiac Injury: Troponin levels can be monitored over time to assess the extent and progression of cardiac injury. Serial troponin measurements are useful for determining the timing and severity of myocardial damage, evaluating response to treatment, and predicting prognosis.

5. Differentiating Cardiac and Non-Cardiac Causes: Troponin testing aids in distinguishing between cardiac and non-cardiac causes of chest pain or other symptoms. Elevated troponin levels suggest a cardiac origin, while normal levels or minimal elevation may indicate alternative causes, such as respiratory conditions, renal dysfunction, or skeletal muscle injury.

6. Evaluation of Procedural Risks: Prior to certain invasive procedures (e.g., coronary angiography or cardiac surgery), Troponin testing is often performed as a baseline assessment of cardiac function. Abnormal troponin levels may indicate underlying cardiac damage and help identify patients at higher risk for procedural complications.

In summary, Troponin is clinically significant in assessing cardiac muscle injury, diagnosing AMI, risk stratification, monitoring cardiac injury, differentiating cardiac and non-cardiac causes of symptoms, and evaluating procedural risks. It plays a crucial role in the early detection and management of acute cardiac events, guiding treatment decisions, and improving patient outcomes.