Detection of myocardial damage - are the troponins the ultimate solution?

sBiochemical markers of myocardial damage are together with the clinical hi story, the physical examination and the 12-lead ECG key elements in the cli nical evaluation of patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of an acut e coronary syndrome (ACS). In this situation the detection of myocardial da mage, even very minor, is of importance, not only for diagnosis, but also f or risk assessment and selection of treatment. The new markers of myocardia l damage, troponin T and I, have been shown to offer some advantages over t he conventional markers in ACS and there is also an increasing interest for troponins in other clinical situations, e.g. after surgery and percutaneou s coronary intervention. This paper will discuss the role of troponins in t hese different clinical situations.