Cardiac enzymes
Cardiac Enzymes are a group of proteins that are concentrated in the heart muscle and are essential for its function. They are released into the blood when the heart muscle is damaged, such as during a heart attack. The measurement of these enzymes is a critical tool in the diagnosis and treatment of various cardiovascular diseases.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Cardiac enzymes include creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and troponin. These enzymes are found in large quantities in the heart muscle, and their levels in the blood can indicate the presence and severity of heart damage.
Creatine Kinase[edit | edit source]
Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme that is found in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. In the heart, it is involved in the process of energy transfer. When the heart muscle is damaged, CK is released into the blood, where it can be measured. Elevated levels of CK in the blood can indicate a recent heart attack.
Lactate Dehydrogenase[edit | edit source]
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme that is found in almost all body tissues, including the heart. It is involved in the process of energy production. When the heart muscle is damaged, LDH is released into the blood, where it can be measured. Elevated levels of LDH in the blood can indicate heart damage, but because LDH is found in many other tissues, it is not as specific a marker for heart damage as CK or troponin.
Troponin[edit | edit source]
Troponin is a protein that is found in heart muscle and is involved in the regulation of muscle contraction. When the heart muscle is damaged, troponin is released into the blood, where it can be measured. Elevated levels of troponin in the blood are a very specific indicator of heart damage and can be used to diagnose a heart attack.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The measurement of cardiac enzymes in the blood is a critical tool in the diagnosis and treatment of various cardiovascular diseases. Elevated levels of these enzymes can indicate heart damage and can help to determine the severity of the damage. They can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for heart disease.
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