The aim of this study was to evaluate whether quantitative cardiac troponin (cTn) assessment can improve risk stratification in a spectrum of patients with non–ST-segment elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using the validated Global Registry of Acute Cardiac Events (GRACE) risk model.

The Canadian ACS Registry II is a prospective, multicenter study that enrolled patients admitted to hospital with a suspected NSTE ACS within 24 hours of symptom onset. Of the total 2297 patients, those with elevated cTn (n = 1013) were further stratified into tertiles of cTn ranges. Our primary end point was death and our secondary end point was a composite of death or/and recurrent myocardial infarction at 1-year follow-up.

Multivariable analysis adjusting for validated predictors of death confirmed the independent prognostic value of any abnormal cTn (vs normal) for death (adjusted odds ratio 2.28, 95% CI 1.49-3.49, P < .001) and for the composite outcome (adjusted odds ratio 2.18, 95% CI 1.61-2.95, P < .001) at 1 year. With quantitative assessment, the gradient of mortality risk with increasing cTn level was not evident after adjusting for other prognosticators. Quantitative (compared to qualitative) assessment of cTn level did not improve either the GRACE risk model discrimination for 1-year death.

Any cTn elevation is associated with higher rate of death at 1 year, but its quantitative assessment did not prove as important as its mere presence as an independent long-term prognosticator in a nonclinical trial, “real-world” NSTE ACS population.