Introduction: The principle causes of early death after hip fracture surgery are cardiac failure and myocardial infarction. Troponin T is a sensitive and specific enzymatic marker of myocardial injury. This study aims to assess prospectively whether Troponin T may be used as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in admissions with fractured neck of femur.

Methods: All patients aged 65 years and over presenting with a fractured neck of femur over 4 months were included. Exclusion criteria of polymyositis, renal failure and conservative fracture management were applied. Troponin T levels were measured on admission, and days 1 and 2 post surgery. According to local protocol, a level of > 0.03ng/mL was considered to be raised. Outcome measures were defined as adverse cardiorespiratory events (myocardial infarction, congestive cardiac failure, unstable angina, major arrhythmias requiring treatment and pulmonary embolism), death and length of inpatient stay.

Results: 108 patients were recruited over the 4 months. 42 (38.9%) showed a rise in Troponin T > 0.03ng/mL in at least one sample. Of these, 25 (59.5%) sustained at least one of the outcome complications including death, as opposed to 7 (10.6%) from the group with no Troponin rise (p< 0.001). The mean inpatient stay was 25.7 days for patients with elevated Troponin T levels, compared with 18.3 days in the normal group (p< 0.012). There were 9 deaths in the raised Troponin group (21.4%), and 5 (10.6%) in the group with no rise (p< 0.05).

Discussion: The association between raised Troponin and hip fractures has not previously been made. Many patients appear to be having silent cardiorespiratory or related events, which may be a significant cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality. We propose measurement of Troponin levels as part of the standard perioperative screening for hip fracture patients to identify this risk and initiate appropriate treatment measures.