Proportional troponin changes and risk for outcomes with intervention strategies in non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome across kidney function

Abstract

AimsThis analysis evaluates whether proportional serial cardiac troponin (cTn) change predicts benefit from an early versus delayed invasive, or conservative treatment strategies across kidney function in non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS).MethodsPatients diagnosed with NSTE‐ACS in the Veterans Health Administration between 1999 and 2022 were categorized into terciles (<20%, 20 to ≤80%, >80%) of proportional change in serial cTn. Primary outcome included mortality or rehospitalization for myocardial infarction at 6 and 12 months, in survivors of index admission. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence Intervals (95% confidence interval [CI]) were calculated for the primary outcome for an early invasive (≤24 h of the index admission), delayed invasive (>24 h of index admission to 90‐days postdischarge), or a conservative management.ResultsChronic kidney disease (CKD) was more prevalent (45.3%) in the lowest versus 42.2% and 43% in middle and highest terciles, respectively (p < 0.001). Primary outcome is more likely for conservative versus early invasive strategy at 6 (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.37–1.50) and 12 months (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.39–1.50). A >80% proportional change demonstrated HR (95% CI): 0.90 (0.83–0.97) and 0.93 (0.88–1.00; p = 0.041) for primary outcome at 6 and 12 months, respectively, when an early versus delayed invasive strategy was used, across CKD stages.ConclusionsOverall, the invasive strategy was safe and associated with improved outcomes across kidney function in NSTE‐ACS. Additionally, >80% proportional change in serial troponin in NSTE‐ACS is associated with benefit from an early versus a delayed invasive strategy regardless of kidney function. These findings deserve confirmation in randomized controlled trials.