Troponin-T and Creatine Kinase-MB in Detecting Myocardial Injury After Coronary Angioplasty

Cardiac troponin T (TnT) is a regulatory contractile protein. In a group of recent studies, its detection in the circulation has been shown to be a sinsitive and specific marker for myocardial cell damage. The purpose of the present study was to investigatic the diagnostic efficacy of the TnT and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) in patients undergoing successfull percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to detect myocardial injury. Study population consisted of 24 patients (3 females, 21 males). Serial blood samples were drawn for measurement of serum TnT and CK-MB before the PTCA and thereafter at 4,8,16 hours. At the same time 12 lead ECG was also recorded. TnT levels > 0.2 ng/ml and CK-MB levels > 24 U/lt were assumed to be an abnormal increase and indicative of myocardial injury. TnT levels >0.2 ng/ml were detected in 15 of 24 patients (62.25 %), CK-MB levels >24 U/lt were detected in 6 of 24 patients (25 %). There was no difference between the groups with respect to demographic data or PTCA procedures. Serum TnT and CK-MB levels were more elevated in type C and multivessel lesions. This study demonstrates a very high diagnostic sensitivity of troponin T versus CK-MB in the detection of minor myocardial injury after successfull PTCA.