Which marker is commonly monitored to assess myocardial injury?

Troponin is the preferred biomarker for assessing myocardial injury, particularly in the context of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Elevated levels of troponin in the bloodstream indicate damage to the heart muscle, which can occur during events such as myocardial infarction (heart attack). Troponins are proteins found in cardiac muscle cells, and when these cells are injured or die, troponin is released into the blood. Therefore, measuring troponin levels is a critical step in diagnosing and managing patients with suspected ACS.

Other markers, although valuable in different contexts, do not specifically indicate myocardial injury. For example, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is primarily used to assess heart failure rather than direct myocardial damage. Creatinine is generally measured to evaluate kidney function, and prothrombin is a marker related to the coagulation system, useful in assessing bleeding risks but not myocardial injury. Thus, troponin is the most relevant and specific biomarker in the assessment of myocardial injury.