Cardiac Troponin I and Acute Lung Injury After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Abstract Introduction  There are few predictors of acute lung injury (ALI) or the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We hypothesized that cardiac troponin I, which is associated with cardiovascular morbidity, would also predict ALI. Methods  We prospectively enrolled 171 consecutive patients with SAH. Troponin was routinely measured on admission and the next day and subsequently if abnormal. We prospectively recorded the maximum troponin, in-hospital events, and clinical endpoints. ALI and ARDS were defined by standard criteria. Results  Acute lung injury was found in 10 patients (6%), ARDS in an additional 14 (8%), and pulmonary edema without lung injury in 9 (5%). Maximum troponin was different in patients without lung injury or pulmonary edema (0.03 [0.02–0.12] mcg/l), ALI (0.17 [0.04–1.4]), or ARDS (0.31 [0.9–1.8], P P  Conclusion  Troponin I is associated with the development of ALI after SAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]