Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Cardiac Troponin as a Cardiovascular Biomarker

Cardiac troponins T and I (cTnT, cTnI) measured by immunoassay have become the mainstay of clinical chemistry laboratories offering rapid testing for emergency physicians and cardiologists who deal with patients with chest pain. The extensive evidence for their diagnostic and prognostic role has resulted in the redefinition of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The acute coronary syndrome which includes AMI and unstable angina is a disease continuum rather than distinct separate entities. The use of cardiac troponins has had major impact on the management of the chest pain patient. This book presents current research on the analytical and clinical aspects of using cardiac troponin and is aimed at practising physicians, clinical and basic scientists and for the next generation of medical students who are taught about these markers in isolation without a deep seated knowledge of their development, clinical use and more importantly, pitfalls.