Differential Diagnosis for Chronic Elevated Troponin
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Elevated troponin levels can be seen in patients with CKD due to decreased renal clearance of troponin. This condition is common and can lead to chronically elevated troponin levels, even in the absence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Heart Failure: Patients with heart failure, especially those with reduced ejection fraction, can have chronically elevated troponin levels due to ongoing myocardial stress and damage.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: This condition can cause chronic myocardial injury, leading to elevated troponin levels.
- Coronary Artery Disease (without ACS): Chronic coronary artery disease can cause intermittent or chronic myocardial ischemia, resulting in elevated troponin levels.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Amyloidosis: Cardiac amyloidosis can cause chronically elevated troponin levels due to myocardial infiltration and damage. Missing this diagnosis can be fatal, as it requires specific treatment.
- Sarcoidosis: Cardiac sarcoidosis can lead to chronic inflammation and damage, resulting in elevated troponin levels. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term cardiac damage.
- Aortic Stenosis: Severe aortic stenosis can cause chronic left ventricular strain, leading to elevated troponin levels. Missing this diagnosis can result in delayed surgical intervention and poor outcomes.
Rare Diagnoses
- Danon Disease: A rare genetic disorder that affects the heart and skeletal muscle, leading to chronic troponin elevation.
- Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Troponin T Mutations: Certain genetic mutations can cause chronic troponin elevation in the absence of other symptoms.
- Cardiac Involvement in Hemochromatosis: Iron overload can cause cardiac damage and chronically elevated troponin levels in patients with hemochromatosis.