NIEWYDOLNOŚĆ SERCA I PŁUC, TRANSPLANTOLOGIA
Assessment of the influence of elevated troponin I levels measured in the perioperative period on the clinical course of patients after heart transplantation in own material

Introduction: Primary graft failure is a common cause of mortality after heart transplantation (HTX). Troponins are widely used as markers of myocardial ischemia, and they appear to be reliable indicators of multifactorial heart transplant injury.

Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between troponin I levels measured over the first days after HTX and the postoperative clinical course, including a 6-month follow-up.

Material and methods: The retrospective analysis included

54 patients (5 females, 49 males), age 12-62 years (median age 52.0, qr. 15.0) after heart transplantation performed accor­ding to the same scheme, in whom the postoperative troponin I 

levels were measured on several consecutive days after HTX. The relationship between Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay, duration of respiratory therapy and troponin levels was assessed in the patients who survived more than 6 months.

Results: There was a positive correlation between the duration of respiratory therapy (median 2.0; qr 1.0) and troponin I levels on several consecutive days after HTX; however, only the relationship on the second postoperative day reached statistical significance.

There was also a positive correlation between ICU length of stay (median 7.0, qr 3.0) and troponin I levels. A statistically significant correlation was observed for the troponin I levels on the first, se­cond and third day after HTX. Troponin I levels measured at 0, 2 and 3 days after HTX significantly influenced the survival rate at > 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions: Elevated perioperative troponin levels may signi­ficantly influence the clinical course after HTX.