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High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnI / hs-cTnT)

Cardiac Markers · also called hs-troponin, Troponin I, Troponin T, cTn

What it measures

Cardiac troponins are structural proteins released when heart muscle cells are damaged. High-sensitivity assays detect very small rises and are the preferred biomarker for diagnosing myocardial infarction using serial samples.

Specimen and preparation

Specimen: Lithium-heparin plasma or serum (as validated for the assay)
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Preparation: Record exact collection time; repeat at 1–3 hours as per local rapid rule-in/rule-out pathway.

Reference range

Group	Range
hs-cTnI, 99th percentile (assay-specific)	Male <34, Female <16 (typical) ng/L
hs-cTnT, 99th percentile	<14 ng/L

Reference ranges differ between laboratories, methods and populations. Always use the range printed on your own lab report.

Causes of high values

Acute myocardial infarction
Myocarditis and pericarditis
Heart failure
Pulmonary embolism
Sepsis and critical illness
Chronic kidney disease (stable elevation)

Method

High-sensitivity chemiluminescent immunoassay

Good to know

A rising and/or falling pattern above the 99th percentile defines acute injury. Values are assay-specific and not interchangeable between I and T methods.

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