The Main Causes and Mechanisms of the Formation of False Positive Results of Troponin Immunotests
Cardiac troponin molecules (cTnT and cTnI) are generally considered to be the most specific and significant laboratory biomarkers, the serum levels of which doctors rely on in the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the causes and mechanisms of increasing serum levels of cTnT and cTnI often go beyond AMI and can be caused by numerous physiological and pathological conditions that primarily affect other organs and tissues (not related to the cardiovascular system) of the human body, but subsequently have a negative effect on myocardial cells. Such pathological conditions, for example, are chronic renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or sepsis, in which the kidneys, lungs are primarily affected or an infectious process develops, respectively, but then myocardial cells are often involved in the pathogenetic process, which is associated with an increase in serum levels of cTnT and cTnI in these patients. In addition, it is possible to increase serum levels of cTnT and cTnI without the presence of any signs of damage to myocardial cells - false positive results of troponin immunotests. The latter, in turn, can contribute to the establishment of an incorrect diagnosis and the appointment of improper treatment, which, in addition to causing potential harm to the patient, is associated with unnecessary economic costs. To increase the probability of recognizing false positive results of troponin immunotests, you should clearly know the main causes and mechanisms of their formation. This aspect is given detailed attention in this article.