High Sensitivity Troponin T measurement (ng/ml)
To evaluate myocardial injury, data on high sensitivity troponin T were retrospectively collected on all patients. Missing data were low (<5% for both groups, n= 11 for DNC and n=4 for BC). Baseline troponin was defined as the latest available troponin value before surgery. Postoperatively, as part of the intensive care unit protocol, all adult cardiac surgery patients have their troponin levels measured routinely upon arrival to the ICU. Troponin T levels are measured 8 hourly for 24 hours and then 12 hourly for 24 hours. Thereafter, it is measured at the discretion of the treating physician if a myocardial ischemia is suspected. After 24 hours, the measurements of the Troponin levels were not consistent. Therefore, for completion of data, we relied on the Troponin levels that were measured in the first 24 hours after surgery. We defined peak troponin as the highest value of Troponin T in the first 24 hours after surgery and trough troponin was defined as the lowest value in the first 48 hours after the peak value. In the present study, 97.4 % (n=297) had a peak troponin value in the first 24 hours after surgery.