Abnormal troponin I levels after supraventricular tachycardia

Elevated troponin I in the absence of angiographically visible coronary lesions is seen in up to 10-15% of those undergoing angiography for suspected coronary artery disease. Serum troponin-I is a sensitive indicator of myocardial damage but abnormal troponin I levels have been also reported without acute coronary syndrome and without cardiac damage. Cardiac troponin I is released from myocytes in both reversible and irreversible myocardial injury. The changes in myocyte membrane permeability resulting from the injury could be enough for the release of cardiac troponins from the free cytosolic pool of myocytes without structural damage. It has been reported that the presence of tachycardia sufficient to warrant hospital admission also can raise troponin. We present a case of troponin I positive in a 49-year-old Italian woman admitted to the hospital with supraventricular tachycardia. Also this case focuses attention on the importance of a correct evaluation of abnormal troponin I levels. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.