1 When the gallstones travel out of the gallbladder into the bile ducts, they block the opening that drains bile and enzymes. The bile and enzymes back up into the pancreas and cause swelling.  Genetics may be a factor in some cases. Sometimes, the cause is not known.
An increased level of the cardiac protein isoform of troponin circulating in the blood has been shown to be a biomarker of heart disorders, the most important of which is myocardial infarction. Raised troponin levels indicate cardiac muscle cell death as the molecule is released into the blood upon injury to the heart.
Will troponin-I elevate in circumstances other than heart conditions? I have encountered several patients without previous heart disease whose troponin I level was elevated (around 5-10 mg/dL) acutely. Both ECG and cardiac echo serial follow-up were within normal limits. One patient had rhabdomyolysis simultaneously.