TROPONIN – OUR EXPERIENCE IN DETERMINATION OF MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIC DAMAGE IN POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD OF CARDIAC SURGERY IN PEDIATRIC POPULATION

Abstract

Background: Troponin is an important biomarker for early evidence of ischemic damage to the heart tissue after a cardiac surgery conducted in the pediatric and adult populations. Elevated values correlate with perioperative and postoperative procedures and practices and are a significant factor for possible later complications. Methods: The study included 30 operated children divided into two groups, the first group of operated children without a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and the second group of operated children with a cardiopulmonary bypass. The correlation between elevated troponin and perioperative and postoperative parameters was monitored (duration of CPB and aortic crossclamping time, stay in the intensive care and therapy during respiratory support, during inotropic support, the presence of renal or hepatic failure, postoperative complications). Results: In both groups of operated children troponin was elevated. In the first group of children operated without cardiopulmonary bypass, the average value of troponin was 9.5 ng/ml (range 6.5- 16.8 ng/l). In the second group of operated children (27 children) with cardiopulmonary bypass, the mean value of duration was 81.5 minutes (range 18 to 296 minutes), and X-cross time (aortic crossclamping time) in the same group of children was with a mean value of 28.2 minutes (range of 0-86 min.). In the first group of children the mean value of troponin was 9.5 ng/ml and in the second group 23.0 ng/ml. The obtained values of troponin have confirmed a highly significant correlation with perioperative and postoperative procedures. Conclusions: Troponin is a prognostic marker for early evidence of ischemic and necrotic changes of cardiac infarction in the pediatric population in cardiac surgery. Elevated values in the first 24-48 hours are significantly correlated with perioperative and postoperative procedures and are an important indicator of the extent of damage to the heart tissue. But its prognostic significance of myocardial ischemic changes is lost in a period between 2-6 months after cardiac surgery.