Prognostic value and long-term variation of high sensitivity troponin T in clinically stable haemodialysis patients.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To provide data on the long-term prognostic relevance and variation of high sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: In 238 stable, asymptomatic haemodialysis patients from a single-centre hsTnT was measured at baseline, 18 and 22 months and outcomes assessed for 24 months. RESULTS: Baseline hsTnT was a significant predictor of all cause (+10 ng/l, HR 1.017, 95%CI 1.011-1.023, p<0.0001) and cardiovascular death (HR 1.02, 95%CI 1.013-1.0026, p<0.0001). HsTnT>140 ng/L was a strong predictor of cardiovascular mortality (HR 8.51, 95%CI 1.907-38.032; p<0.0001). HsTnT increased by >50% in less than one-third of patients, and doubled in only 10% of patients, during 18 and 22 months follow up. CONCLUSION: In clinically stable hemodialysis patients, higher hsTnT was associated with both total and CV mortality. In most patients variation in levels of hsTnT between 18 and 22 months was <50%, and on average the increase in hsTnT was small.