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This article presents information about a study which examines the relationship between myocardial injury and outcome in selected critically ill patients without acute coronary syndromes or cardiac dysfunction. Over a 6-month period, 217 consecutive patients admitted to the ICU were studied. Cardiac troponin I assays were performed in all patients on admission to the ICU. This study demonstrates the high frequency of myocardial injury (32%) in critically ill patients without acute coronary syndromes or cardiac dysfunction on admission to ICU. Myocardial injury is an independent determinant of hospital mortality. Assessment of myocardial injury on admission to ICU would make it possible to identify patients at increased risk of death.