Cardiac troponin T is associated with mortality in patients admitted to critical care in a UK major trauma centre: a retrospective database analysis.
Background
Elevated levels of cardiac troponin T are associated with poor outcome in critically ill patients and have been proposed as a prognostic marker in major trauma. This study investigated the relationship between cardiac troponin T levels on admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and all-cause mortality in major trauma patients.


Methods
A retrospective database analysis of cardiac troponin T levels on admission to the ICU in major trauma patients between 1 August 2015 and 31 December 2016 at a UK Major Trauma Centre was performed.


Results
Of the 243 patients, 69 (28.4%) died. Cardiac troponin T levels were significantly higher in patients who died compared to survivors: 42 vs. 13 ng/L, respectively (p < 0.0001); the odds of all-cause mortality increased significantly as troponin increased, independent of age or Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score.


Discussion
This confirms cardiac troponin T at ICU admission as a marker of mortality in major trauma. Elevated cardiac troponin T may be seen in patients without evidence of direct cardiac trauma.
['Crewdson|Kate|K|', 'Thompson|Julian|J|', 'Thomas|Matt|M|']
Troponin T mortality multiple trauma