Not medically reviewed
Cardiac
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn)
Not medically reviewed · Content last updated · 1 min read ·
This is the date the draft was written, not a medical review date.
A structural protein of cardiomyocytes that is released on myocardial injury, and the preferred biomarker for myocardial infarction. The diagnostic limit is the 99th percentile of a healthy reference population (the upper reference limit) for the specific assay.
Reference interval
| Conventional (ng/L) | SI (ng/L) | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | < 14 (upper limit) ng/L | < 14 (upper limit) ng/L |
Specimen: Serum or heparinised plasma · Conventional × 1 = SI
Causes of high values
Acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, Takotsubo syndrome, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, tachyarrhythmia, sepsis, renal failure, aortic dissection, strenuous exercise. A rise and fall pattern indicates acute injury; chronic stable elevation suggests chronic injury.
Causes of low values
Values below the limit of detection or the 99th percentile make myocardial injury less likely when serial sampling follows the validated pathway.
Pre-analytical and method notes
The 14 ng/L shown is illustrative only: the 99th-percentile limit is assay- and sex-specific and manufacturers differ (for example lower in women), so refer to the assay insert and to the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction. Interpret with symptoms, ECG and serial values over hours; renal impairment raises baseline values. Reference intervals vary by laboratory, method and population; use the interval printed on the report.
References
- Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (2018). ESC / ACC / AHA / World Heart Federation (2018) — Tier 2 (guidelines / primary literature)
- Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. Elsevier, 6th edition (2018) — Tier 3 (textbook)
- Loscalzo J, et al.. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. McGraw-Hill, 21st edition (2022) — Tier 3 (textbook)
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