Association of Troponin T measurements with long-term outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease participating in a secondary prevention trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Identification of high-risk patients in secondary cardiovascular prevention may be challenging, although risk stratification tools are available. Cardiac troponins might have predictive value in identification of high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) levels following a coronary event and long-term outcomes. METHODS: This study was carried out as a subanalysis from a randomized controlled trial conducted at Sørlandet Hospital, Norway, where patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction (MI) or scheduled percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)/coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were included between 2007 and 2017. Participants were followed-up for up to 10 years after the index event through out-patient consultations. cTnT was assessed at each consultation as well as information regarding new cardiovascular events or death. RESULTS: A total of 1278 patients (18–80 years) with complete measurements of cTnT were included. cTnT was elevated (≥ 14 ng/L) one year after the primary event in 241 (19%) of participants. Median follow-up was 5.7 [SD 2.7] years. Cox regression analyses showed reduced survival (adjusted HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.19–0.72; p = 0.003) and composite endpoint-free survival (adjusted HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.98; p = 0.04) in participants with elevated cTnT versus participants with low cTnT after adjustment for risk factors at inclusion and randomization assignment. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of cTnT after coronary heart events may help identify patients at high risk of poor outcomes and might contribute to more focused secondary preventive treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00679237).