Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
troponin
Cardiac biomarker protein released during myocardial cell death or injury.
Full Definition
Troponin is a regulatory protein complex found in cardiac muscle that is released into the bloodstream when myocardial cells are damaged or die. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) are highly specific markers for myocardial injury and are the preferred biomarkers for diagnosing acute coronary syndromes. High-sensitivity troponin assays can detect very low levels of cardiac injury and are used in accelerated diagnostic protocols for chest pain evaluation in emergency departments.
Usage
Usage note: Specify troponin I or T when relevant; distinguish from other cardiac biomarkers.
In Context
- "Serial troponin levels confirmed acute myocardial infarction." — Laboratory report
- "High-sensitivity troponin was negative at 0 and 3 hours." — Emergency department note
Also known as
cardiac troponin
cTn
Don't confuse with
CK-MB
myoglobin
BNP