Are high-sensitivity troponins always reliable? Donor-recipient troponin transfusion in liver transplantation

Br J Anaesth. 2018 Dec;121(6):1212-1214. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2018.08.024. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Abstract

Blood troponins are used to diagnose perioperative myocardial injury and infarction. During liver transplantation, a passive donor-recipient troponin transfer with the graft may result in an increase of troponins in the transplant recipient questioning the diagnosis of myocardial injury. We present a case of liver transplantation with sudden elevation of recipient's serum troponin levels immediately after graft reperfusion and its subsequent normalization in which myocardial damage and other non-ischaemic potential causes were ruled out. Patient consent for publication was obtained prior to submission of the manuscript.

Keywords: biomarker; diagnostic accuracy; false positive; high-sensitivity troponin T; myocardial infarction; perioperative myocardial injury.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tissue Donors
  • Troponin / administration & dosage*
  • Troponin T / blood

Substances

  • Troponin
  • Troponin T