Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Recent studies suggest that troponin elevation is associated with increased mortality in sepsis patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of troponin elevation on mechanical ventilation duration and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay in patients with sepsis. Additionally, we investigated the association between troponin elevation and septic shock. METHODS: The study is a retrospective observational cohort study, conducted in a community teaching hospital between October 2015 and April 2018. All adult ICU patients with sepsis who required invasive mechanical ventilation were included. Primary outcomes were mechanical ventilation duration and ICU length of stay. Secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay, in-hospital mortality and association with septic shock. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients were included. Troponin was elevated in 36% (45/125) of the patients. Duration of mechanical ventilation in hours was longer for troponin-positive group (troponin positive: 55.6 h vs. troponin negative: 49.6 h, 95% CI 0.001 - 0.063, P = 0.032). ICU length of stay was similar (troponin positive: 4.6 days vs. troponin negative: 4.3 days, 95% CI 0.130 - 0.270). Septic shock had higher occurrence in elevated troponin group (troponin positive: 62.2% (28/45) vs. troponin negative: 43.8% (35/80), risk ratio (RR) 1.4, P = 0.04, 95% CI 1.015 - 1.99). CONCLUSIONS: Troponin elevation was associated with longer duration of mechanical ventilation in patients admitted to ICU with sepsis. Troponin elevation was associated with higher risk for development of septic shock. No significant effect was observed in ICU length of stay and hospital length of stay.