Prognostic value of Cardiac Troponin I in AECOPD and its impact on mortality

Background: Comorbidities are important determinants of outcome and quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The risk of cardiovascular events in COPD patients is three to five-fold high. COPD is often associated with right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary hypertension. Various studies have shown that levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) correlate with severity and duration of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). The objective of the present study was to assess the usefulness of serum cTnI as mortality predictor in AECOPD patients. Methods: An observational, prospective and non interventional study was conducted in 160 patients with AECOPD admitted in the pulmonary medicine emergency or ward of SKIMS. cTnI levels were estimated within 24 hours of admission by method based on ELISA along with routine investigations. Levels ≥ 0.06ng/ml were taken as positive. The patients were followed up for 30days for outcome in terms of mortality and morbidity. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS package and two sided p values Results: The serum cTnI was found to be positive in 37.3% of patients with AECOPD. The in- hospital mortality was significantly high in patients having cTnI >0.06ng/ml as compared to patients with cTnI Conclusions: Levels of cTnI≥0.06ng/ml may be considered as a biomarker to predict mortality in AECOPD patients