Raised cardiac enzymes in sepsis with renal failure: An encompassing umbrella or a masquerader?

Abstract

Elevation of cardiac enzymes and troponins particularly in settings of sepsis and renal failure may cloud the diagnostic picture of acute coronary syndrome in many cases. Interpretation of such elevated enzymes thus warrants caution. It necessitates adequate awareness amongst clinicians, of conditions with such elevation in the absence of myocardial ischemia/infarction as well as those that harbinger false positives. We discuss one such case that posed a diagnostic dilemma and review the pertinent literature.

Keywords

• Renal failure
• sepsis
• troponins