Elevated troponin in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding: prevalence, predictors and outcomes

Abstract

Background: Cardiac troponin (cTn) can also be elevated in patients with non-cardiac illnesses. The utility of elevated cTn in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (AGIB) is unclear. Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients admitted with AGIB who had cTn ordered. We assessed the prevalence, predictors and mortality. Results: A total of 172 patients with AGIB were included in the study, of whom 17% had abnormal cTn. Predictors of elevated cTn were advanced age, lower BMI, coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease. The abnormal cTn group had more cardiac consultation and procedures and longer length of stay. However, there was no difference in mortality between the two groups. Conclusion: Elevated cTn in patients with AGIB was associated with more cardiology consultation and downstream cardiac testing, greater delay to endoscopic evaluation and longer length of stay, without significantly affecting the mortality.