Elevated troponin after stroke: a systematic review

Cerebrovasc Dis. 2009;28(3):220-6. doi: 10.1159/000226773. Epub 2009 Jul 2.

Abstract

Background: Troponin levels are elevated in some acute stroke patients, but the clinical significance of this is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies measuring troponin within 7 days of symptom onset in acute stroke patients.

Results: We identified 15 studies (2,901 patients). Overall 18.1% (95% CI 13.6-22.6) had a positive troponin level. These patients were more likely to have electrocardiogram (ECG) changes suggestive of myocardial ischemia (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.5-6.2), and there was an independent association with death (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.7-4.8).

Conclusion: Elevated troponin level after acute stroke is common and is associated with ECG changes suggestive of myocardial ischemia and increased risk of death.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Death
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Ischemia / complications
  • Myocardial Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk
  • Stroke / blood*
  • Stroke / epidemiology
  • Stroke / mortality
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Troponin / blood*
  • Troponin I / blood
  • Troponin T / blood

Substances

  • Troponin
  • Troponin I
  • Troponin T