-
We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB)
Introduction
Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) is a cardiac enzyme that plays a crucial role in diagnosing heart-related conditions, particularly myocardial infarction (heart attack). It is one of the three isoenzymes of creatine kinase (CK), which helps in energy production within muscle cells.
Why is CK-MB Important?
CK-MB is predominantly found in heart muscle cells. When there is damage to the heart muscle, such as in a heart attack, CK-MB levels rise in the blood. This makes it a valuable biomarker for diagnosing and assessing the severity of myocardial infarction.
Normal and Elevated CK-MB Levels
- Normal range: CK-MB levels are typically very low in a healthy individual.
- Elevated levels: An increase in CK-MB often indicates heart muscle damage. It usually rises within 3–6 hours after the onset of a heart attack, peaks at 12–24 hours, and returns to normal within 48–72 hours.
CK-MB vs. Troponin
While CK-MB is useful for detecting heart attacks, troponin levels are now considered the gold standard. Troponin stays elevated longer than CK-MB, making it more reliable for diagnosing heart damage.
Other Causes of Elevated CK-MB
Although CK-MB is mainly associated with heart damage, other conditions can also lead to higher levels:
- Muscle diseases
- Severe physical exertion
- Trauma
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
- Certain medications
Clinical Use
A CK-MB test, along with troponin tests and ECG, helps doctors confirm a heart attack. It is particularly useful for detecting reinfarction (a second heart attack occurring shortly after the first).
Conclusion
CK-MB is an essential biomarker for assessing heart muscle damage, particularly in acute myocardial infarction. However, it is often used in conjunction with troponin tests and ECG for a more accurate diagnosis.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines for Biomarkers in Acute Coronary Syndromes
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26472997/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000134
- https://www.heart.org/en/-/media/Files/Affiliates/MWA/North-Dakota/North-Dakota-Stroke-Cardiac-Conference/Cardiac-Biomarker-History-Characterization-of-Troponin-Assays-Impact-on-Cardiac-Care-Sep-13-2023.pdf?sc_lang=en
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000133
- https://www.uscjournal.com/articles/contemporary-risk-stratification-acute-coronary-syndrome
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Acute Coronary Syndromes
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-Coronary-Syndromes-ACS-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/38/3720/7243210
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37622654/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/14/1289/5898842
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32860058/
-
If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.