Troponin I and laboratory tests as diagnostic tools for pediatric cardiological syncope: A retrospective study in the emergency setting

Valeria Pansini; Gaia Margiotta; Andrea Scavella; Antonio Gatto; Miriam Massese; Lorenzo Di Sarno; Benedetta Graglia; Antonio Chiaretti

doi:10.23750/abm.v96i1.16111

Troponin I and laboratory tests as diagnostic tools for pediatric cardiological syncope: A retrospective study in the emergency setting

Authors

Valeria Pansini Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Gaia Margiotta Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Andrea Scavella Department of Mother and Child Health, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Varese, Italy
Antonio Gatto Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Miriam Massese Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Lorenzo Di Sarno Department of Pediatrics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Benedetta Graglia Department of Pediatrics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Antonio Chiaretti Department of Women's Health Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy

Keywords:

pediatric cardiological syncope, troponin I, diagnostic utility, laboratory tests emergency department, pediatric syncope biomarkers, retrospective pediatric cardiology studies

Abstract

Background and aim: Syncope is one of the main reasons for pediatric emergency room (PED) admission. It recognizes numerous etiopathogenetic bases, the most fearful of which is the cardiological one. Our study aims to analyze if Troponin I (TnI) and laboratory tests are helpful to identify and quickly treat cardiac causes of syncope in a pediatric emergency setting.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 368 admissions to the PED of the “A. Gemelli” Hospital in Rome for syncope and presyncope, collecting medical history, physical examination, and laboratory and instrumental tests.

Results and Conclusions: What emerged is that, in addition to a correct medical history and physical examination, there is a need to always perform a twelve-lead ECG in the presence of syncopal and presyncopal events. At the same time, Troponin I assay, and others laboratory tests seem to be not so helpful in diagnosing cardiac syncope.

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