Prognostic Value of Electrocardiographic Abnormalities and Troponin-I Elevation in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Background: Corona Virus Disease (COVID -19) patients present mainly with respiratory manifestations and viral pneumonia. The cardiovascular presentation includes early signs of acute myocardial injury. Troponin elevation is a frequent laboratory finding in hospitalized patients with the disease, and may reflect direct vascular injury or nonspecific supply-demand imbalance. In this work, we assessed the correlation between different ranges of Troponin elevation, Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities and mortality. Methods and materials: It was a prospective observational study, conducted in four tertiary care Private Hospitals of Chattogram City of Bangladesh. The study enrolled 181 consecutive patients admitted to hospital from June 01, 2020 to December 31, 2020 due to Covid-19 disease on the basis of presentation of signs and symptoms severity. Upon admission, routine investigations cTnI and ECG were carried out. Results: Mean age of the patients was 54.3±7.3 years with 63.5% male. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity followed by diabetes and obesity. 57.1% of the patients had abnormal ECG. Abnormal axis deviation [26 % (left axis deviation 23.9% vs right axis deviation 2.0%)], Poor R wave progression (22.9%), T inversion (14.5%), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (11.4%) followed by ST segment depression (8.3%) were major findings observed in the study population. Presence of LVH (p=0.008), ST segment elevation (p≤0.001), ST segment depression (p≤0.001) and T inversion (p=0.003) showed statistically significant association with Severe COVID-19 disease. 48.2% had raised cTnI level. Thirteen (7.2%) patients expired in hospital. The mortality rate increased with incrementally higher troponin group: 12/18 than mildly elevated troponin 1/63 (p < 0.01). The presence of an abnormal ECG finding resulted in significant in the intermediate Troponin elevation group (0.05-1 ng/ml) but not in the low (<0.05 ng/ml) or high (> 1 ng/ml) Troponin elevation groups. There were statistically significant association between between cTnI level and death; and between ECG findings and death. Conclusion: Study conclude that Troponin-I level and ECG are a prognostic factor for mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Bangladesh Heart Journal 2021; 36(2): 105-112

Pilot project to study the association of troponin I with cardiovascular events in the population of Russian region

Aim. As part of a pilot study, to investigate the potential significance of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in assessing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in general population aged 35-64 years of one of the regions from the ESSE-RF study.Material and methods. The study is based on the ESSE-RF observational prospective study using a sample from one Russian region. The analysis included socio-demographic variables, risk factors, history of CVD. The cTnI level was measured from November to December 2021 in serum samples stored at -70° C using high sensitivity chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay using Architect Stat High Sensitivity Troponin I (Abbott) reagents on an Architect i2000SR immunoassay analyzer (Abbott, Abbot Park IL USA). The endpoints were hard (cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction) and composite endpoints (cardiovascular death, new cases of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary artery disease and revascularization). The median follow-up was 5,5 years. In total, the analysis included 1120 people aged 35-64 years.Results. Analysis of the associations between Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) and cTnI showed a significant difference in risk stratification for these two parameters. In women from cTnI-related high-risk category for cardiovascular events (CVE), there were no endpoints at all. In men of moderate and high risk, the proportion of endpoints increases with increasing cTnI-related risk. The survival curves corresponding to first 3 quintiles of cTnI risk distribution did not diverge, and, therefore, the number of CVEs in these groups did not differ. At the same time, the curves corresponding to 4th and 5th quintiles significantly differed from the first 3 quintiles, which indicates a higher CVE risk in subjects from these groups (p<0,001). Considering that there were only 3 endpoints in cTnI-related high-risk group, a survival analysis was performed for low-risk versus moderate-high risk. The curves obtained diverge significantly (p=0.006). Cox proportional hazards models were analyzed to assess the relationship between the cTnI level and endpoints. It was shown that cTnI itself or its logarithm is significantly associated with hard and composite endpoints. The cTnI cut-off point of 12/10 pg/ml (males/females) was associated with hard endpoint, and 6/4 pg/ml — with composite one. It should be noted that the recommended cut-off point of 6/4 pg/ml is close to the upper quartile of cTnI distribution in the European population. For the Russian population, the upper quartile corresponds to cTnI level of 3,5/2,1 pg/ml, which indicates the need to reduce the critical cTnI values in Russia. To assess risk reclassification, Cox models were analyzed using the Net Reclassification Index (NRI), as well as NRIsurvival for survival analysis. For categorical variables, the NRIcategorial was used. Both methods of including cTnI in the model significantly improve the risk classification of severe endpoints in men.Conclusion. The results obtained confirm the need to lower the threshold values for predicting combined endpoints, in particular, in Russian men. cTnl has an independent effect on CVE risk and its addition to SCORE improves the prediction of CVEs among men. However, the data obtained are preliminary and require clarification sing larger sample. At the same time, it is obvious that the determination of cТnI level can play a significant role in cardiovascular risk assessment and be an unfavorable prognosis marker among Russian population.

Variability of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and I in asymptomatic patients receiving hemodialysis

Variation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and T (hs-cTn) during hemodialysis has been observed. Observational studies demonstrated the increased incidence of adverse cardiovascular events after long compared to short interdialytic intervals. Therefore, we aimed to compare variation of hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT before and after hemodialysis and between short and long interdialytic intervals. We enrolled 200 asymptomatic patients receiving regular hemodialysis. The hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT levels were measured before and after hemodialysis on the day after short and long interdialytic intervals. Mean age was 62.3 ± 14.8 years (Male 55.5%). Prevalence of increased hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT was 34.5% and 99.0%, respectively. The median ± interquartile range of hs-cTnT increased significantly after hemodialysis during short and long interdialytic intervals. However, hs-cTnI level did not increase after hemodialysis during short and long intervals. We found that levels of hs-cTnI and T did not differ between short interdialytic and long interdialytic intervals. We demonstrated higher prevalence of elevated hs-cTnT in patients with regular hemodialysis compared to hs-cTnI. The rise of hs-cTnT was observed immediately after hemodialysis but no significant change of hs-cTnI was noted. Accordingly, hs-cTnI may be preferable as a diagnostic marker in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction than hs-cTnT.

Prognostic value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I in heart failure patients with mid-range and reduced ejection fraction

Background The identification of high-risk heart failure (HF) patients makes it possible to intensify their treatment. Our aim was to determine the prognostic value of a newly developed, high-sensitivity troponin I assay (Atellica®, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics) for patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; LVEF < 40%) and HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF) (LVEF 40%–49%). Methods and results A total of 520 patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF were enrolled in this study. Two-year all-cause mortality, heart transplantation, and/or left ventricular assist device implantation were defined as the primary endpoints (EP). A logistic regression analysis was used for the identification of predictors and development of multivariable models. The EP occurred in 14% of the patients, and these patients had higher NT-proBNP (1,950 vs. 518 ng/l; p < 0.001) and hs-cTnI (34 vs. 17 ng/l, p < 0.001) levels. C-statistics demonstrated that the optimal cut-off value for the hs-cTnI level was 17 ng/l (AUC 0.658, p < 0.001). Described by the AUC, the discriminatory power of the multivariable model (NYHA > II, NT-proBNP, hs-cTnI and urea) was 0.823 (p < 0.001). Including heart failure hospitalization as the component of the combined secondary endpoint leads to a diminished predictive power of increased hs-cTnI. Conclusion hs-cTnI levels ≥ 17 ng/l represent an independent increased risk of an adverse prognosis for patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF. Determining a patient’s hs-cTnI level adds prognostic value to NT-proBNP and clinical parameters.

A pilot project to study troponin I in a representative sample of the region from the ESSE-RF study: distribution among population and associations with risk factors

Aim. To assess the distribution of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in a sample of the region from the ESSE-RF study and to study its associations with risk factors (RFs) and the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) system.Material and methods. This observational cross-sectional study includes a representative sample of the population aged 25-64 years of the Vologda region (n=1591). The analysis included sex, age, behavioral and cardiometabolic RFs, biomarkers, prior cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and SCORE. The differences between age-sex groups were considered significant at p<0,05.Results. According to study results, asymmetry in cTnI distribution among population was revealed. The median cTnI level in the sample was 1,5 pg/ml (95% confidence interval, 0,80-2,50). Noteworthy is the high level of the 99th percentile of cTnI in men aged 45-54 years (55,3 pg/ml). At the same time, the 99th percentile for the entire sample in men was 47,7 pg/ml, while in women — 13,3 pg/ml. The cTnI level log increases significantly with age in both men (p<0,0001) and women (p<0,0001), but faster in men. There was a higher level of cTnI in young men compared to same-age women. In multivariate analysis, significant associations of cTnI levels with sex, age, blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and brain natriuretic peptide level were obtained. Insufficient accuracy of classification of study participants by SCORE risk was revealed.Conclusion. The distribution of cTnI in the sample of the Russian region from the ESSE-RF study is sharply shifted to the left (median, 1,5 pg/ml). Higher cTnI levels were revealed in young men compared to their female peers. Significant associations of cTnI with obesity (body mass index, hypertension, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and brain natriuretic peptide concentration) were found. It was demonstrated that SCORE does not accurately classify individuals with high and moderate cТnI levels.

Prognostic Value of Troponin I in COVID-19 Patients

Introduction: Corona Virus Disease (COVID -19) patients present mainly with respiratory manifestations and viral pneumonia. The cardiovascular system presentation includes early signs of acute myocardial injury. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a gold-standard biomarker for necrosis and myocardial risk assessment. Aim of the work: This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of cTnI in COVID-19 patients. Methodology: We report a prospective study that included 92 COVID-19 patients admitted to the El Helal Hospital, Sohag, Egypt. Upon admission, routine investigations including cTnI, chest Computed Tomography (CT), and Electrocardiogram (ECG) were carried out. The patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) also had echocardiography. Results: More than half of the patients (55.4%) were admitted to ICU; cTnI level was elevated in 30 patients (58.8%), of whom 17 died (56.7%). There were statistically significant differences regarding the relation between cTnI level, D-dimer and the need for ICU admission and death (p=0.001). Conclusion: We conclude that cardiac troponin I levels are a prognostic factor for ICU admission and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Cardiac Complications in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: The newly emerged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) seems to involve different organs, including the cardiovascular system. We systematically reviewed COVID-19 cardiac complications and calculated their pooled incidences. Secondarily, we compared the cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level between the surviving and expired patients. Methods: A systematic search was conducted for manuscripts published from December 1, 2019 to April 16, 2020. Cardiovascular complications, along with the levels of cTnI, creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) in hospitalized PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients were extracted. The pooled incidences of the extracted data were calculated, and the unadjusted cTnI level was compared between the surviving and expired patients. Results: Out of 1094 obtained records, 22 studies on a total of 4,157 patients were included. The pooled incidence rate of arrhythmia was 10.11%. Furthermore, myocardial injury had a pooled incidence of 17.85%, and finally, the pooled incidence for heart failure was 22.34%. The pooled incidence rates of cTnI, CK-MB, and CK elevations were also reported at 15.16%, 10.92%, and 12.99%, respectively. Moreover, the pooled level of unadjusted cTnI was significantly higher in expired cases compared with the surviving (mean difference = 31.818, 95% CI = 17.923-45.713, P value <0.001). Conclusion: COVID-19 can affect different parts of the heart; however, the myocardium is more involved.

Effect of an Eight-week High-intensity Interval Training Program on Serum Cardiac Troponin I Level of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Background: One of the complications of diabetes, as a chronic metabolic disorder, is cardiovascular diseases. Objective This study aims to investigate the effect of an eight-week High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program on serum Cardiac troponin I (CtnI) level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental clinical trial, 30 rats were randomly assigned into three groups of healthy Control (C), Diabetic (D), and diabetic+training (D+T). The third group performed the training which included a treadmill running at an intensity of 85%-90% of maximum speed in 6-12 sessions of 2 min for 8 weeks, 5 days per week. Blood glucose level and high-sensitive CtnI levels were measured 48 hours after the last training session and 12 hours of fasting. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test were used to analyze the collected data, considering a significance level of P<0.05. Findings: The induction of diabetes caused a significant increase in blood glucose (P=0.01) and high-sensitive CtnI (P=0.01) levels in the D group. Also, a significant difference was observed in the blood glucose level of D+T group compared to the D group (P=0.001). The CtnI level also slightly reduced (11%) in the D+T group compared to the D group, but it was not statistically significant (P=0.591). Conclusion: he HIIT program can reduce the fasting blood glucose and increase the serum level of high-sensitive CtnI to some extent in diabetic rats; therefore, it can be an appropriate strategy for diabetics. However, there is a need for more studies in this area.

Predictive Factor for COVID-19 Worsening: Insights for High-Sensitivity Troponin and D-Dimer and Correlation With Right Ventricular Afterload

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with cardiovascular complications and coagulation disorders.Objectives: To explore clinical and biological parameters of COVID-19 patients with hospitalization criteria that could predict referral to intensive care unit (ICU).Methods: Analyzing the clinical and biological profiles of COVID-19 patients at admission.Results: Among 99 consecutive patients that fulfilled criteria for hospitalization, 48 were hospitalized in the medicine department, 21 were first admitted to the medicine ward department and referred later to ICU, and 30 were directly admitted to ICU from the emergency department. At admission, patients requiring ICU were more likely to have lymphopenia, decreased SpO2, a D-dimer level above 1,000 ng/mL, and a higher high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (Hs-cTnI) level. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified Hs-cTnI above 9.75 pg/mL as the best predictive criteria for ICU referral [area under the curve (AUC), 86.4; 95% CI, 76.6–96.2]. This cutoff for Hs-cTnI was confirmed in univariate [odds ratio (OR), 22.8; 95% CI, 6.0–116.2] and multivariate analysis after adjustment for D-dimer level (adjusted OR, 20.85; 95% CI, 4.76–128.4). Transthoracic echocardiography parameters subsequently measured in 72 patients showed an increased right ventricular (RV) afterload correlated with Hs-cTnI (r = 0.42, p = 0.010) and D-dimer (r = 0.18, p = 0.047).Conclusion: Hs-cTnI appears to be the best relevant predictive factor for referring COVID-19 patients to ICU. This result associated with the correlation of D-dimer with RV dilatation probably reflects a myocardial injury due to an increased RV wall tension. This reinforces the hypothesis of a COVID-19-associated microvascular thrombosis inducing a higher RV afterload.

Cardiac Troponin I Associated with Poor Prognosis and Death Risk in 726 Severe and Critical COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: A few patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may progress into irreparable outcomes. Early identification of patients with serious symptoms who may develop critical illness and even death is of considerable importance for personalizing treatment and balancing medical resources.Methods: In this retrospective study, demographic, clinical characteristics and laboratory tests from 726 patients with serious COVID-19 from Tongji Hospital (Wuhan, China) were analyzed. The standards for the serious type are guided by the Chinese management guideline for COVID-19. Patients were classified into critical group (174 cases) and severe group (552 cases) based on whether the composite endpoint was reached, and the former group was divided into the survivors (47 cases) and non-survivors (127 cases). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to investigate the risk factors associated with poor prognosis and mortality outcomes.Results: Male patients accounted for 62.1% and 51.6% in the critical group and severe group, with a median age of 68 and 65 years, respectively. Among critical cases there was a higher prevalence of chronic obstructive lung disease (p = 0.029) and chest distress (p = 0.040) than in severe cases. In the multivariable analysis, the risk factors associated with poor prognosis in severe cases were advanced age (p = 0.002), high respiratory rate (RR) (p < 0.0001), high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (p = 0.021), high hypersensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) level (p < 0.0001), and low platelet counts (p = 0.005) at admission. In the adjusted models, higher mortality outcomes in critical patients were associated with high hs-cTnI level (p = 0.037). By plotting ROC curves of different indices, hs-cTnI and LDH were found to be predictive factors for poor prognosis in patients with severe COVID-19.Conclusions: For the risk assessment of serious COVID-19 patients on admission, advanced age, high level of RR, LDH, hs-cTnI, and low platelet counts, constitute important risk factors for poor prognosis in severe cases, and the hs-cTnI level can be helpful in predicting fatal outcomes in critically ill patients.