Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in dogs with generalised seizures.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if serum cardiac troponin I concentrations - measured with both a first-generation assay and a high-sensitivity assay - were greater in dogs with generalised seizures than in controls and to identify clinical variables associated with cardiac troponin I concentration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study of 30 dogs with recent generalised seizures and 30 healthy controls. Serum cardiac troponin I concentration was measured using two commercially available assays, and the correlation of clinical factors with concentration was examined.

RESULTS: Serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I were higher in dogs that had recent seizures compared to controls when measured by both assays. The predictors most clearly associated with cardiac troponin I concentration were number of seizures and age. Both predictors were positively associated with increasing concentrations of troponin I.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Serum cardiac troponin I concentration was significantly elevated in dogs that had recent generalised seizures when compared to controls, and concentrations were higher in dogs that experienced more seizures. This association may indicate that generalised seizures are associated with damage to the myocardium.