Elevated cardiac troponin in a patient with coronary artery disease: why look harder?

Maznyczka, A., Varma, N., Foote, L., Williams, R., D'Cruz, D. and Puntmann, V. O. (2015) Elevated cardiac troponin in a patient with coronary artery disease: why look harder? Heart and Metabolism, 67, pp. 30-33.

Abstract

Cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is common and often unsuspected. We report a case of a female patient presenting with an acute coronary syndrome, but without target lesions on coronary angiography. As the presentation was not typical of non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to reveal alternative diagnoses. We discuss a list of conditions that can cause elevated cardiac troponin (cTn) and represent a common diagnostic challenge, in particular in patients with a previous history of coronary intervention. This case also illustrates the importance of taking into account coexistent medical conditions when interpreting cTn results and that cardiac MRI can be a valuable diagnostic tool when alternative differential diagnoses exist.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Maznyczka, Dr Annette Marie
• Authors: Maznyczka, A., Varma, N., Foote, L., Williams, R., D'Cruz, D., and Puntmann, V. O.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Heart and Metabolism
• ISSN: 1566-0338