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“There is no significant association between elevated donor troponin I level, a biomarker of cardiac injury, and recipient survival for up to five years post-transplant,” the researchers wrote in a study released Tuesday in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure.

The blood test in question checks levels of a protein called troponin I. This protein enters the bloodstream when a person suffers a heart attack or other heart muscle damage, the study authors said.

"If the heart looks OK but troponin I is elevated, many centers will reject the organ out of concern that this marker indicates dysfunction of the heart that will become evident after the stress of the transplant process. We looked at whether this is true," Patel said.

The investigators found no association between donor troponin I levels and the risk of death during the year following transplant.

In addition, donor troponin I levels had no significant effect on recipients' survival at 30 days, one year, three years or five years, the findings showed.