Detection of subclinical CAD in athletes by Cardiac troponins

What is it about?

A new study suggests a potential role for cardiac troponin (cTn) in the detection of subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in athletes participating in endurance sports. In the current article, I presented an idea that perhaps the cut-off value of cTn for the diagnosis of subclinical CAD in trained athletes need to be individualized, rather than a mere single limit point.

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Why is it important?

A growing body of evidence suggests that prolonged, strenuous exercise may result in the appearance of cardiac troponins (cTn, cTnT and/or cTnI), which are highly specific biomarkers of cardiomyocyte insult. Though there has been no consensus as to the mechanisms or clinical relevance of such findings, the universal increases in cTn even during routine training in athletes suggest that the phenomenon, in most cases, is physiological. However, it is pertinent to note that even highly trained athletes are not ‘protected’ from exercise-related sudden cardiac death; thus, the ability to assess athletes appropriately is helped by discriminating the physiological and pathological cTn responses to prolonged exercise bouts.

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