Elevated Cardiac Troponins in Sepsis: What Do They Signify?(Scientific Article) (Report‪)‬

Introduction Sepsis is a major source of morbidity and mortality in the United States with more than 750,000 patients diagnosed annually including more than 250,000 deaths (8). Sepsis has been defined as the presence of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in response to a culture-proven infection. To meet SIRS criteria, two of the following conditions must be fulfilled: temperature (38 C, 36 C), heart rate 90 bpm, respirations 20 breaths per minute, leukocytosis (12000/ul ) leukopenia ( 4,000u) 10% bands, PaCO2 32 mmHg. Severe sepsis is defined as sepsis in addition to organ failure (1).