CPK-MB test

CPK-MB test
Kinetics of cardiac markers in myocardial infarction with or without reperfusion treatment.
LOINC	49551-5 , 51506-4 , 2154-3 , 13969-1 , 32673-6 , 38482-6

Definition

The CPK-MB, often abbreviated as CKMB, is a very sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of an acute myocardial infarction

What does the test measure?

The CPK-MB test measures the amount of creatine kinase (CK) MB fraction in the blood.

What is CPK?

CK stands for creatine kinase or creatine phospokinase (CPK), which is a type of protein that acts as an enzyme.

Where is CPK found?

CK is mostly found in your skeletal muscles and heart, with lesser amounts in the brain.

What are the types of CPK enzymes?

• CK-MM, found in skeletal muscles
• CK-MB, found in the heart muscle
• CK-BB, found in brain tissue

What does CPK-MB test measure?

• The CPK-MB test is a cardiac marker used to assist diagnoses of an acute myocardial infarction.
• It measures the blood level of CK-MB (creatine kinase-muscle/brain), the bound combination of two variants (isoenzymes CKM and CKB) of the enzyme phosphocreatine kinase.

Is troponin test better?

• In some locations, the test has been superseded by the troponin test.
• However, recently, there have been improvements to the test that involve measuring the ratio of the CK-MB1 and CK-MB2 isoforms.

What are the cardiac related isoforms?

The newer test detects different isoforms of the B subunit specific to the myocardium whereas the older test detected the presence of cardiac-related isoenzyme dimers.

Variations

• Many cases of CK-MB levels exceeding the blood level of total CK have been reported, especially in newborns with cardiac malformations, especially ventricular septal defects.
• The reversal of ratios is in favor of pulmonary emboli or vasculitis.
• An autoimmune reaction creating a complex molecule of CK and IgG should be taken into consideration.

References

FAQS

Can you help answer any of these frequently asked questions on CPK-MB test?

• What is CK-MB in MI?
• What is normal CK-MB?
• Why CPK test is done?
• How is CK-MB test done?
• How do you calculate CPK?
• What is a good CPK value?
• Is CK-MB cardiac specific?
• How can I reduce my CK-MB?
• When should CK-MB be tested?
• Can stress increase CK levels?
• What happens if CPK MB is high?
• What are the 3 cardiac enzymes?
• What does MB stand for in CK-MB?
• What causes CK-MB to be elevated?
• How can I lower my CPK naturally?
• How long does CK-MB stay elevated?
• Which rises first troponin or CK-MB?
• Is CK-MB more specific than troponin?
• Why CK-MB is important in myocardial infarction?

Resources

Frequently asked questions

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