This assay is used for the quantitative determination of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in human serum and plasma. cTnT, encoded by the TNN2 gene, is a structural protein essential for muscle contraction in the heart, with isoform 6 (TnT3) being predominant in adult myocardial tissue. Most cTnT is bound within cardiac muscle fibers, while a small portion exists freely in the cytoplasm. During myocardial injury, such as necrosis or increased membrane permeability, cTnT is released into the bloodstream—initially in a free form, followed by the slower release of the bound form. It appears early and can remain detectable for up to two weeks, making it a highly specific and sensitive marker for myocardial damage. High-sensitivity cTnT assays enable earlier detection and confirmation or exclusion of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and they are recommended for diagnosing, managing, and risk-stratifying acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Common detection methods include immunofluorescence and chemiluminescence.
