Incidence and Significance of a Positive Troponin Test in Bacteremic Patients Without Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract Background Since the introduction of troponin for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, several studies have shown additional conditions in which troponin is elevated, including sepsis. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of an elevated troponin in patients with bacteremia and its significance. Methods This was a prospective, noninterventional study. Patients with a positive blood culture were included. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) was determined within 4 days of blood culture. A repeat electrocardiogram was obtained in a sample of patients with elevated cTnI and in patients with a negative troponin test. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological data were obtained for all patients. Results A total of 159 bacteremic patients were included. Positive cTnI was detected in 69 patients (43%). Elevated cTnI was associated with a number of underlying diseases, hospitalization ward, severity of the systemic inflammatory condition, and kidney function ( P