Cardiac Troponin I and Electrocardiographic Evaluation in Hospitalized Cats with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Several studies conducted on humans demonstrate the increase in cardiac troponins and
the onset of arrhythmias in the course of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The
aim of the current study was to assess the blood concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and
electrocardiographic findings in SIRS-affected cats. Seventeen shorthair cats hospitalized with SIRS
were enrolled (Group 1). SIRS diagnosis was performed based on the detection of at least two
of the four criteria such as abnormal body temperature, abnormal heart rate (i.e., tachycardia or
bradycardia), abnormal respiratory rate (i.e., tachypnea or bradypnea), and alterations of white
blood cell number (i.e., leukocytes or band neutrophils). Ten cats screened for elective surgery such
as neutering or dental procedures were evaluated as a control population (Group 2). They were
considered healthy based on history, physical examination, hematological and biochemical profile,
urinalysis, coprological exam, thyroxine assay, blood pressure measurement, and echocardiography.
A physical examination, complete blood cell count, biochemistry test (including an electrolyte panel),
electrocardiographic examination, and cTnI assay were carried out in each cat enrolled. Traumatic
events, gastrointestinal, neoplastic, respiratory, and neurological disorders were identified as causes
of SIRS in Group 1. In Group 1, a significantly higher concentration of cTnI than that in Group 2
was recorded (p = 0.004). In 37.5% of cats with SIRS, ventricular premature complexes occurring in
couplets with multiform configuration were detected. Similarly, to humans, data herein reported
would indicate possible cardiac damage present in cats with SIRS diagnosis.