Troponometri

Troponometri is the clinical practice of measuring troponin proteins in the blood to assess myocardial injury. Troponins are regulatory proteins that control muscular contraction in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells; myocardial cell damage releases troponin into the circulation, making it a sensitive and specific biomarker for heart muscle damage.

The method involves drawing a venous blood sample, separating plasma or serum, and using immunoassay techniques such as ELISA or chemiluminescent immunoassays. Most hospitals now employ high‑sensitivity troponin I or T assays, which detect femtomolar concentrations and allow for earlier detection of acute myocardial infarction. Results are interpreted in the context of a patient’s clinical presentation, ECG findings, and serial measurements. The delta rule—changes between two samples taken hours apart—helps distinguish acute from chronic elevations.

Troponometri is central to the diagnostic algorithm for acute coronary syndrome and is recommended by international guidelines such as those from the European Society of Cardiology. It also detects cardiac pathology in conditions like myocarditis, heart failure, and pulmonary embolism. However, non‑cardiac sources of elevated troponin, such as renal dysfunction or skeletal muscle disease, can produce false positives and must be considered. Because the test requires only a routine blood draw, risks are minimal and it is widely accessible across hospital laboratories.