The association between serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and acute myocardial infarction in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome is modified by body mass index

Abstract Background Higher systemic concentrations of cardiac troponins and biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction as well as obesity are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may share pathophysiological pathways. We sought to explore the association between serum high sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and future acute myocardial infarction (AMI) according to body mass index (BMI) among patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), as well as interactions with C-reactive protein (CRP) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Methods A total of 3879 patients with baseline hs-cTnT ≤ 30 ng/L who underwent elective coronary angiography due to chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) were followed to subsequent AMI or end of 2009. Risk associations between hs-cTnT and incident AMI were explored with Cox regression according to BMI categories 30kg/m2 and quartiles of serum CRP and plasma ADMA. Results Median (25 th −75 th percentile) age was 62 (54–69) years and 2773 (77.5%) were men. During median 7.5 (25 th −75 th percentile) (6.9–9.2) years of follow-up, 460 (11.9%) patients experienced an AMI. The risk relationship between hs-cTnT and incident AMI was stronger among patients in the higher vs lower BMI categories, HR 1.087 (1.055–1.119), P for interaction 0.043. A similar interaction was not found in categories of CRP or ADMA. Conclusion The risk relationship of hs-cTnT with incident AMI was stronger in patients with higher BMI. Our results motivate further studies into potential pathophysiological mechanisms connecting hs-cTnT with increased cardiovascular risk.