High-Sensitivity Troponins and Homocysteine: Combined Biomarkers for Better Prediction of Cardiovascular Events
As the leading cause of global mortality, cardiovascular diseases demand improved and innovative strategies for early detection and risk assessment to enhance prevention and timely treatment. This comprehensive review examines the potential of combining high-sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-cTns) and homocysteine (Hcy) as complementary biomarkers for enhanced cardiovascular risk prediction. hs-cTn assays have revolutionized cardiovascular diagnostics by enabling the detection of minimal myocardial injury, improving early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, and providing robust prognostic information in both symptomatic and asymptomatic populations. Hcy, while established as a marker of vascular dysfunction, presents an interpretative challenge due to multiple confounding factors and inconsistent therapeutic responses. Emerging evidence demonstrates significant correlations between elevated Hcy and troponins across various clinical conditions, suggesting that their combined assessment—reflecting both myocardial injury and vascular dysfunction—may improve cardiovascular risk stratification. While initial findings are promising, additional studies are required to validate the clinical value of the combined marker approach. Future development of personalized interpretation algorithms, and multi-marker panels incorporating these biomarkers, may significantly advance cardiovascular medicine and enable more effective population-specific risk management strategies.