Upper Reference Limits of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T in a General Population: Comparison with those of Sensitive Cardiac Troponin I

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Upper reference limits (97.5th, 99th percentiles) of high-sensitivity and sensitive cardiac troponins (hs-cTn and s-cTn) can be influenced by several factors. Our aim was to study: (1) the ability of hs-cTnT and s-cTnI to detect circulating cTn in a general community population, and (2) the effects of age, renal function, and gender on their 97.5th - 99th percentile values. METHODS: Hs-cTnT and s-cTnI values were measured in 177 subjects. RESULTS: Thirty-six subjects (20%) presented hs-cTnT values above the limit of detection (LoD), whereas no subjects presented detectable s-cTnI values. Men presented more frequently than women with detectable hs-cTnT levels (37% vs. 11%; p = 0.0001). Hs-cTnT was more frequently found in older (> or = 70 years) than in younger subjects (57 vs. 14%; p < 0.0001). Subjects with low estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR < 60 mL/min1/ 1.73m2) presented more frequently with detectable hs-cTnT levels than subjects with higher eGFR (71% vs. 17%; p < 0.0001). Hs-cTnT 97.5th - 99th percentiles varied according to selection by age, renal function, and gender; percentile values of s-cTnI were below the LoD of the assay. CONCLUSIONS: Hs-cTnT is more often quantified than s-cTnI in healthy subjects. Age, gender, and eGFR values influence 97.5th - 99th hs-cTnT percentile values.