There are three types of troponins – C, T and I. Troponins C and I are the cardiac ones. They are very sensitive indicators of cardiac damage, but they are not too specific, so this rule of Cs will help you to know the other six major causes of raised cardiac troponins.
Raised Cardiac Troponins Mnemonic
The Rule of “C”
| Cardiac arrest | myocardial infarction |
| Cardiac failure | severe heart failure |
| Cocaine | causes coronary artery spasm |
| Carditis | myocarditis |
| Car Accident | or some other trauma |
| Chest | pulmonary emboli |
Cardiac troponins are released from striated muscles cells within 12 hours of cardiac damage. They are present for several days after the event.
Happy learning! 🙂
