Selected Laboratory Markers in Early-Phase Acute Myocardial Infarction and Their Association with Cardiac Troponin I

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Early diagnosis can minimize complications and improve patient outcomes. Objectives: To assess biochemical, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters in early-phase AMI patients and evaluate their correlation with cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Methods: A case control study was conducted in Al-Ramadi General Hospital, Anbar, Iraq during December 2025 to April 2026. 60 AMI patients and 40 healthy controls were recruited. The serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), random blood sugar (RBS), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured. Results: cTnI was significantly elevated in patients with AMI compared with controls (median 0.33 vs. 0.01 ng/mL, p < 0.001). AST, CRP, and RBS levels were also significantly higher, whereas serum calcium and HDL cholesterol were significantly lower in AMI patients (all p < 0.01). Significant negative correlations were observed between triglycerides and HDL, and between total cholesterol and HDL, while cTnI showed a positive correlation with AST. Conclusion: Early-phase AMI is associated with significant biochemical, inflammatory, and metabolic alterations alongside elevated cTnI. Notable features of AMI include low calcium, high CRP, high glucose and low HDL cholesterol, all of which can be helpful adjunct indicators in the clinical assessment.