Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations decrease following treatment of primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia

OBJECTIVES The measurement of serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in dogs with a range of non-primary cardiac illnesses suggests that cardiac myocyte damage is commonplace. Dogs with primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia have increased serum cardiac troponin I concentrations at the time of diagnosis. However, it is unclear whether biochemical evidence of cardiac myocyte damage improves following successful treatment of anaemia. METHODSA haematology profile was performed and serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured in 19 dogs with primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia before and after treatment. RESULTS The haematocrit increased significantly (P = 0.0001) following treatment of primary IMHA (median pre: 0.13 L/L, median post: 0.33 L/L). The serum cardiac troponin I concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after treatment (median pre: 0.26 ng/mL, median post: 0.16 ng/mL). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Serum cardiac troponin I concentration decreases following successful treatment of primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. The clinical and prognostic significance of serum cardiac troponin I concentrations before and after treatment in dogs with primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia merits further investigation.