Serum cardiac troponin T in children with chronic renal failure

Cardiovascular complications is the leading cause of death in the patients with chronic renal failure on dialysis, so earlier detection of cardiovascular affections in those patients might allow earlier interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality. Serum cardiac troponin T is an indicator of cardiomyocyte damage. We evaluate serum cardiac troponin T in patients with chronic renal failure and their correlation with echocardiographic measurements of cardiac structure and functions. We studied 20 patients with chronic renal failure under 18 years of age seen at Minoufiya University Hospital. All patients were on hemodialysis. Also we studied 20 apparently healthy children of similar age and sex as a control group [group II]. All patients and control were subjected to: 1-Detailed history taking. 2- Thorough clinical examination. 3- X-ray chest and heart. 4- ECG 5-Echocardiography for estimation of left ventricular size and systolic function 6-Evaluation of serum cardiac troponin T:- by enzyme immunoassay. A value of 0.01 ng/ml or higher was considered elevated on the basis of our analytical validity testing. Our results showed a highly significant increase in the serum cardiac troponin T in chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis comparable to the control group. There was a significant negative correlation between serum cardiac troponin T and the left ventricular echo- parameters [LVEDV- EF and FS] indicating that serum cardiac troponin T is a good indicator of the left ventricular dysfunction