High-sensitivity troponin-T as a prognostic marker after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest - A targeted temperature management (TTM) trial substudy

Resuscitation. 2016 Oct:107:156-61. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.06.024.

Abstract

Aim of the study: Predicting outcome of unconscious patients after successful resuscitation is challenging and better prognostic markers are highly needed. Ischemic heart disease is a common cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Whether or not high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) is a prognostic marker among survivors of OHCA with both ischemic and non-ischemic aetiologies remains to be determined. We sought to evaluate the ability of hs-TnT to prognosticate all-cause mortality, death due to cardiovascular causes or multi-organ failure and death due to cerebral causes after OHCA. The influence of the level of target temperature management on hs-TnT as a marker of infarct size was also assessed.

Methods: A total of 699 patients from the targeted temperature management (TTM) trial were included and hs-TnT was analyzed in blood samples from 24, 48 and 72h after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The endpoints were 180 day all-cause mortality, death due to cardiovascular causes or multi-organ failure and death due to cerebral causes. Subgroups based on the initial ECG after ROSC (STEMI vs all other ECG presentations) were analyzed.

Results: Hs-TnT was independently associated with all-cause mortality which was driven by death due to cardiovascular causes or multi-organ failure and not cerebral causes (at 48h: OR 1.10, CI 1.01-1.20, p<0.05). Hs-TnT was also an independent predictor of death due to cardiovascular causes or multi-organ failure (at 48h: OR 1.13, CI 1.01-1.26, p<0.05). In patients with STEMI, hs-TnT was independently associated with death due to cardiovascular causes or multi-organ failure (at 48h: OR 1.47, CI 1.10-1.95, p<0.01). Targeted temperature management at 33°C was not associated with hs-TnT compared to 36°C.

Conclusions: After OHCA due to both ischemic and non-ischemic causes, hs-TnT is an independent marker of both all-cause mortality and death due to cardiovascular causes or multi-organ failure. Targeted temperature management at 33°C did not reduce hs-TnT compared to 36°C. Hs-TnT may be a marker of poor prognosis after OHCA and this should be taken into consideration in patients that present with high troponin levels.

Trial registration: The TTM-trial is registered and accessible at Clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT01020916).

Keywords: High-sensitivity troponin T; Hypothermia; Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; Prognosis; TTM-trial.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* / adverse effects
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia, Induced / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest* / mortality
  • Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest* / therapy
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Analysis
  • Troponin T* / analysis
  • Troponin T* / blood

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Troponin T

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01020916