Cardiac Troponin T as a Marker in the Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction at Autopsy

Abstract

Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all deaths in developed and 25% in the developing world. One sixth of world's population lives in death accounts for two-thirds of all autopsies in forensic medicine department sequence of the infected myocardium will develop only after significant time of, between myocardial infarction (MI) in death. The use of cardiac Troponin T at autopsy is less clear. This study evaluates the role of cardiac Troponin in the detection of acute myocardial infarction at autopsy. A retrospective study was performed at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Warangal (2012–1014), identifying autopsy cases where serum Troponin was requested. In these cases, cause of death was identified from autopsy reports, the histology reviewed and Troponin T levels were recorded. Acute myocardial infarction was confirmed as a cause of death in 62 out of the 176 cases with 48 cases having an elevated Troponin T. (Sensitivity: 92%; Specificity: 5%). The results of this study suggest that while Troponin T is sensitive marker, it is not specific as a diagnostic tool in the detection of acute myocardial infarction at autopsy. Histology remains the gold standard.