WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Troponin T concentrations in blood plasma measured using a new and more sensitive assay process were found to be associated with cardiovascular death and heart failure among coronary artery disease patients, but not myocardial infarction, according to a study published online Nov. 25 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Torbjorn Omland, M.D., of the Akershus University Hospital in Lorenskog, Norway, and colleagues assayed concentrations of cardiac troponin T, a biomarker of myocardial necrosis, in 3,679 subjects with stable coronary artery disease and preserved left ventricular function. The group was followed for a median of 5.2 years and assay results were associated with the incidence of cardiovascular events.

With a new, highly sensitive assay procedure, the researchers detected troponin T in 3,593 patients (97.7 percent) and observed an increase in the cumulative incidence of cardiovascular death and heart failure as troponin T concentration increased. However, no association was observed between troponin T concentration and myocardial infarction. Also, with the new assay process, increased risk was apparent below the level of detection possible with conventional troponin T assay.

"After adjustment for other independent prognostic indicators, cardiac troponin T concentrations as measured with a highly sensitive assay were significantly associated with the incidence of cardiovascular death and heart failure but not with myocardial infarction in patients with stable coronary artery disease," the authors write.

Several authors reported receiving lecture and consulting fees or grant support from pharmaceutical companies; one author reported owning equity in CV Therapeutics; and one author was listed on a patent.

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