False Positive Troponin Levels due to Heterophil Antibodies in a Pregnant Woman


Kaplan A., Orhan N., Ilhan E.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE, vol.15, no.1, pp.47-50, 2015 (ESCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 15 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.5505/1304.7361.2014.00378
  • Journal Name: TURKISH JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.47-50
  • Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Positive troponin test results in peripheral blood can be detected either during myocardial injury or from falsely positive test results. In this report, we present the positive results of a troponin test in a 24-year-old pregnant woman referred to the emergency department with atypical chest pain, and the clinical algorithm that we used to make the correct diagnosis. This patient presented with the same complaint of chest pain at different times while positive troponin levels were detected. In the absence of signs of myocardial injury, we suspected that heterophil antibodies were playing a major role. Further examinations revealed heterophil antibodies that could cross react with the troponin tests in peripheral blood.