Am J Perinatol 2015; 32(09): 859-864
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1543983
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Cardiac Troponin Levels in Neonates Who Require ECMO for Noncardiac Indications Are Elevated in Nonsurvivors

Mark T. Astoria
1   Division of Neonatal Medicine, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Richmond, Virginia
,
Simon E. Karam
1   Division of Neonatal Medicine, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Richmond, Virginia
,
Russell R. Moores Jr.
1   Division of Neonatal Medicine, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Richmond, Virginia
,
Henry J. Rozycki
1   Division of Neonatal Medicine, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Richmond, Virginia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

14 August 2014

18 November 2014

Publication Date:
21 January 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to determine the utility of cardiac troponin (cTnI) as a marker of mortality and morbidity in newborn infants who require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Study Design Retrospective medical chart analysis of term or near-term newborn infants treated with ECMO from 2002 to 2012 at a single Level III neonatal intensive care unit. Data analyzed included serial serum cTnI measurements, clinical and demographic characteristics, pre-ECMO laboratory values, and ECMO laboratory values and outcomes.

Results Survival (27/46) was significantly related to birth weight (3,413.9 ± 662.3 vs. 2,667.7 ± 478.3 g, p < 0.001), outborn status (22/30 vs. 5/13, p = 0.0021), and the absence of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (22/30 vs. 5/18, p = 0.0021). Mean peak cTnI did not differ between survivors and nonsurvivors but when peak cTnI was < 2.8 ng/mL, survival was 64% compared with 22% when it was > 2.8 ng/mL (p = 0.0224; odds ratio = 0.160, 95% confidence interval = 0.0292–0.8778). By multivariate analysis, peak cTnI > 2.1 was a significant risk factor for nonsurvival, p = 0.0497. The area under the curve of a receiver-operator analysis using peak cTnI > 2.1, birth weight, and birthplace was 0.89, p < 0.001.

Conclusion cTnI is an independent biomarker for poor outcome in neonates who receive ECMO therapy for noncardiac generations.