[Cardiac troponin I and T: specific biomarkers of cardiomyocyte].

PURPOSE: Cardiac troponin I and troponin T have replaced creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) for the diagnosis of cardiomyocyte necrosis. Cardiac specificity of these new markers leads to a change in our practice. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Following necrosis, intracellular proteins are released into blood. This easy concept overlaps a biological complexity since troponins are released as complexes leading to various cut-off values depending on the assay used, as least for cardiac troponin I. The increase in both specificity and analytical sensitivity of these markers reached to propose a new definition of myocardial infarction. The diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome is a clinical based diagnosis, the use of troponin contributing to their classification. Finally, pathological processes leading to cardiac injury may induce an increase in the cardiac troponin level. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Troponin standardization is a challenge for the near future leading to better follow-up of patients and comparison between cohorts.