Raised cardiac troponin in intensive care patients with sepsis, in the absence of angiographically documented coronary artery disease: A systematic review

Elevated cardiac troponin in the critically ill has been associated with increased hospital mortality. However, in critically ill patients with sepsis the results are heterogeneous and less easy to interpret. The objectives of this systematic review were to describe the pathophysiology, clinical relevance and prognostic significance of raised troponin in intensive care patients with sepsis. Articles were identified through a detailed MEDLINE search and additional references were retrieved from the selected studies. A growing body of clinical evidence suggests that although troponins are sensitive biomarkers with prognostic value, they are not independent predictors of mortality. However, vigilance for objective evidence of coronary artery disease is required and patients with atherosclerotic risk factors and elevated troponins may benefit from cardiac imaging. In patients with low pre-test probability for coronary artery disease and elevated troponins, therapy should target management of sepsis and optimisation of myocardial oxygen demand/supply balance.