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Abstract

We thank Krähenmann et al for their comments and interest in our study. Troponin I levels remained undetectable (<0.15 ng/mL) in the 51 healthy pregnant women studied during labor and the early puerperium. In contrast, the mean concentrations of myoglobin, creatine kinase, and creatine kinase MB mass increased almost 2-fold within 30 minutes after delivery. We concluded that the troponin I level may be the most useful biochemical marker for the diagnosis of myocardial injury in pregnant women. Krähenmann et al present their experience of 2 cases of myocardial infarction during pregnancy. Although the levels of troponin I, creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB isozyme, and myoglobin were all significantly elevated in both cases, the levels of troponin I were the most abnormal. We concur with Krähenmann et al that troponin I appears to be the most cardiospecific biochemical marker of myocardial injury in pregnant women. 6/8/107461