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.