The value of raised troponin I levels in the elderly

Raised troponin I levels are associated with higher mortality (Antman et al, 1996; Ohman et al, 1996). As older patients with cardiac events can present with non-specific symptoms, the measurement of troponin I levels in this population has increased. The authors have noted elevated troponin I levels in older patients even in the absence of clinical evidence suggestive of cardiac damage, where a raised value is not fully understood. Most of the literature relates to a younger population (Bakshi et al, 2002).