Troponin I - plasma

5 mL blood in lithium heparin tube.

Not detected.

The assays are specific for a cardiac isoform that occurs only in myocardium.

The test is very specific and sensitive for myocardial damage.

In myocadial infarction, elevation occurs from  four to twelve hours after the onset of pain and lasts for about seven days.

In ‘unstable angina’ even a minor increase in troponin I should be regarded as defining the episode as a myocardial infarction.