Serum Troponin T Level and Ecg Changes in Acute Ischaemic Stroke

BACKGROUNDSerum troponin elevation, characteristic of ischaemic myocardial injury, has been observed in some Acute Ischaemic Stroke (AIS) patients.[1] Its cause and significance are still controversial.[2,3] The purpose of this study is to find determinants of troponin elevation and its relationship with stroke severity and location and to assess the prevalence of ECG changes in acute ischaemic stroke. METHODS Subjects with a diagnosis of Acute Ischaemic Stroke (AIS) presenting toGovernment Vellore Medical College and Hospital, Adukkamparai, from August 2015 to December 2015 were enrolled.Serum troponin T level was measured on admission.Patients were divided into two groups, Group 1 (Elevated cTnT) and Group 2 (Normal cTnT).Twelve lead standard electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed and stroke severity was assessed based on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). RESULTSSerum cTnT level was elevated in 19.56% (18/92) of patients.In Group 1 (Elevated cTnT) there were 18 patients and in Group 2 (Normal cTnT) there were 74 patients.It was observed that insular lobe involvement was more frequent in elevated cTnT group (6/18) (31%) than in Group 2 (10/74) (14%) (p<0.05).ECG ischaemic changes were seen in 17 patients, 18% of patients.Stroke severity was greater in elevated cTnT group. CONCLUSIONTroponin T elevation was associated with severity of stroke, higher age of the patients, ECG changes and Insular lobe involvement.Troponin T in acute ischaemic stroke is a marker of severity of stroke.