QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians
-
Cardiac troponin (cT) is released after myocardial damage. In the appropriate clinical setting, a measured elevation of cT can increase the diagnostic rate of myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome. ⋯ We present clinical cases from our institution that illustrate this diagnostic problem, and review similar cases in the literature. We also discuss the implications of an erroneous diagnosis of myocardial infarction, for the patient and for the health services.