False positive troponin I in a case of metastatic small cell bronchogenic carcinoma complicated by pulmonary thromboembolism

ABSTRACT

From the search for the ultimate cardiac marker have emerged the cardiac troponins, which have offered high sensitivity and specificity for myocardial damage. Troponin I has arguably been the best of this group, but even this marker is not infallible. We present the case of an elderly woman who died shortly after being diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction on the basis of elevated Troponin I. Autopsy revealed a small cell lung cancer complicated by pulmonary thromboembolism. There was no evidence of myocardial infarction. Explanations for false elevation of serum Troponin I are proposed.