Troponin T but not C-reactive protein is associated with myocardial mass and risk for, and time to future surgery for aortic stenosis; a population-based study

Abstract

Abstract Objective High-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) may convey prognostic information in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, many association studies were cross-sectional, and the presence of myocardial hypertrophy and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) were usually not described. This study evaluated if hs-TnT and hs-CRP relate to myocardial mass, and associate with risk of and time to future surgery for AS in patients with and without concomitant CAD. Design In total, 336 patients who underwent surgery due to AS after participation in large population surveys were identified. Median age [interquartile range] was 59.8 [10.3] years at survey and 68.3 [12.7] years at surgery, and 48% were women. The median time between survey and surgery was 10.9 [9.3] years. Preoperatively, myocardial mass and the presence of CAD were assessed. Two matched referents were allocated for each case, and hs-TnT and hs-CRP were determined in stored plasma samples from the baseline survey. Uni- and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the risk (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) related to one (ln) standard deviation increase in hs-TnT and hs-CRP. Time to surgery was evaluated by Kaplan-Mayer analysis and Cox regression. Results Hs-TnT was independently associated with surgery for AS in patients with concomitant CAD (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) (1.22 [1.02–1.46]) and without concomitant CAD (1.39 [1.05–1.84]). Hs-CRP was not associated with surgery for AS after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (1.06 [0.92–1.23]). Patients with high hs-TnT levels had shorter time to surgery compared those with low levels (Figure, p<0.001) whereas hs-CRP did not associate with time to surgery. Hs-TnT levels at survey associated independently with myocardial mass at surgery (p=0.002) but not with CAD and severity of stenosis. Conclusions Hs-TnT – but not hs-CRP – was associated with increased risk for, and shorter time to future surgery for AS. Hs-TnT associated with myocardial mass at surgery which indicates that Hs-TnT may be used as a clinical tool and allow for identification of patients with AS who could benefit from earlier intervention. Time to surgery; tertiles of hs-TnT Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Swedish Heart–Lung Foundation