Role of Cardiac Troponins in Predicting Adverse Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndrome With Renal Dysfunction

A substantial global cause of mortality as well as disability is acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It is also widespread knowledge that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) possess greater mortality and cardiovascular disease risks than the rest of the population. A vital biomarker for the diagnosis of AMI is high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT). Individuals afflicted with severe CKD frequently exhibit increased hs-cTnT levels, which can pose a significant diagnostic challenge in cases of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) necessitating revascularization. Alteration in kidney function exerts an impact on troponin levels, making a single value less useful. As the renal population has an increased risk of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), serial tracking of cardiac biomarkers is essential to detect ACS in this population. Numerous studies using algorithmic remedies based on admission troponin and spontaneous variations in troponin concentration have been put forth by researchers to address these issues. A considerable majority of CKD patients can be accurately diagnosed or excluded from having AMI using the approach, which involves serial measures. Patients who suffer from kidney impairment exhibit lesser chances of undergoing angiography or revascularization and receiving preventative therapies. Furthermore, their outcomes are comparatively poorer when compared to patients who possess normal kidney function. Despite studies indicating a higher risk of poor outcomes after AMI in this population, these patients are less likely to receive guideline-indicated care. In this study, we employed a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology to provide an account of the available studies and to draw attention to the importance of cardiac troponins in predicting unfavorable outcomes and algorithms in the prediction, diagnosis, and prognosis of patients with ACS and renal impairment. Eight papers were chosen for in-depth analysis after reviewing 86 articles from trusted publications between 2013 and August 3, 2023. The analysis considered factors such as sensitivity, severity of renal damage, algorithms used, the benefits of algorithms, and the challenges. One must examine the change in cardiac troponin (cTn) and take higher cut-off values into consideration in order to increase the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of AMI. Higher levels of cTn have also been correlated prognostically to unfavorable outcomes like incident heart failure and death from cardiovascular causes. Also, raised troponin levels have been linked to all-cause and cardiovascular death in both dialysis patients and patients with CKD who did not receive dialysis. Future studies should concentrate on whether troponin testing can reclassify risk and provide treatment in people with CKD who are at the greatest threat of death. The clinical practice benefits of routinely measuring cardiac troponin concentrations are largely unknown. Future research should also concentrate on figuring out how troponin testing can influence clinical management and how to address the root reasons for chronic hs-cTnT elevation in patients with CKD, which may include elements like uremic toxicity, macrovascular or microvascular ischemia, anemia, as well as reduced renal clearance.