Troponin I as expression of myocardial damage after major vascular surgery

In the perioperative period different levels of Troponin I (TnI) increase allow the identification of different severity degrees of myocardial damage [1]. Aim of the present study was to verify the correlation of TnI increase with clinical, ECG and Echo TT data and with the stratification of risk in patients submitted to major vascular surgery. A prospective observational study was performed on 51 patients submitted to major vascular surgery and then admitted to ICU. Preoperative measurements of TnI, CK-MB isoform, ECG and Echo TT were obtained. Then blood samples for TnI and CK-MB were obtained every 6 hours for 72 hours after surgery and then once daily. Twelve-leads ECG was registered daily. A new echocardiogram was obtained 48-72 hours after surgery. According to our laboratory and to NACB [2], two cut-off values for TnI were used as follows: normal values = 0.11 to 1.5 ng/ml. Patients were then subdivided into three groups in relation to TnI levels: Group T0 = normal values ( 0.11 to 1.5 ng/ml. In every group TnI values were related to CK-MB, ECG and echo TT results. Patients were reassessed 3 months after surgery by means of telephone survey, ECG, echo TT and clinical evaluation.