Elevation of Troponin I in Athletes: A Case Report in a Marathon Runner

The case of a 24-year-old athlete who presented with a syncopal episode after having run 25 miles in a marathon is reported. The patient was subsequently found to have significant elevations of troponin I, which remained detectable for 3 days. The patient remained asymptomatic during his 8-day hospitalization without other evidence of cardiac ischemia: studies included echocardiography and multiple gated acquisition (MUGA) scan. The current knowledge about elevation of troponin I unrelated to cardiac injury in endurance athletes is discussed.