Cardiac troponin I in pediatric patients with supraventricular arrhythmia

Background Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a fast cardiac rhythm that affects the atria, atrioventricular (AV) node, or accessory conduction pathways. This is the most prevalent kind of tachycardia observed in infants and children, predominantly occurring before the age of one year. Troponins are cardiac regulatory proteins that are found in the cytoplasm of cardiac myocytes. Some studies demonstrated cardiac troponin (cTn) elevations (cTn T and I) after high-intensity, short-duration and prolonged exercise. cTnI elevation is also common in an acute episode of SVT. Aim To assess the serum level of Troponin I in pediatric patients with acute supraventricular tachyarrhythmia to evaluate its role in detection of myocardial injury in such patients. Patients and methods The present investigation was carried out in the Pediatric Cardiology Unit of Tanta University Hospitals, involving 45 pediatric patients. The children were categorized into two groups: those with acute attack of supraventricular arrhythmia ( n =25) comprising the cases group, and healthy children ( n =20) of matched age and sex with the patients forming the control group. The serum level of troponin I was measured once after control of the acute attack of supraventricular arrhythmia. Results Our results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in serum troponin I levels between patients with SVT and the control groups. Conclusion Troponin I did not add significant diagnostic value as a biomarker for myocardial injury in pediatric patients with SVT.