High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T is associated with coronary artery calcification

Abstract

Objective: Recent studies have suggested that high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) may be useful for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis and assessing cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum hs-cTnT is associated with the degree of coronary artery calcification.

Methods: We measured serum hs-cTnT concentrations and performed multidetector row coronary CT in 215 consecutive, stable patients with clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease. Nonenhanced coronary CT was performed to determine the coronary calcium score, and contrast-enhanced coronary CT was performed to identify obstructive coronary artery disease. We then evaluated the relationship between serum hs-cTnT concentrations and the degree of coronary calcium or obstructive coronary artery disease using multiple regression analysis and logistic regression models.

Results: Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that serum hs-cTnT concentrations and calcium score were independently associated after logarithmic transformation (β = 0.348; P < .0001). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that serum hs-cTnT concentration was associated with an increased odds of an Agatston score >10 (odds ratio, 1.250; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.150-1.378), an Agatston Score >400 (odds ratio, 1.101; 95% CI, 1.054-1.157), and obstructive coronary artery disease (odds ratio, 1.119; 95% CI, 1.066-1.185).

Conclusion: Serum hs-cTnT is associated with coronary calcium in individuals with suspected coronary disease and may therefore be a marker to detect subclinical atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cardiac troponin; Coronary calcium.