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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.
Serum Cardiac Markers: A Key to Diagnosing Heart Conditions
Introduction
Serum cardiac markers are substances released into the blood when the heart muscle suffers damage. They are crucial in diagnosing and managing cardiac conditions, particularly acute coronary syndromes (ACS) like myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Types of Serum Cardiac Markers
1. Troponins (Troponin I and Troponin T)
- Most specific and sensitive markers of myocardial injury.
- Elevated levels indicate heart muscle damage.
- Typically rise within 3-4 hours after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and remain elevated for up to 10–14 days.
2. Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB)
- Less specific than troponins but useful in detecting early reinfarction.
- Peaks within 12-24 hours and returns to normal in 2-3 days.
3. Myoglobin
- First marker to rise (within 1-2 hours), but it lacks specificity.
- Not used alone for diagnosis, but helpful in early detection.
4. B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP)
- Primarily used to assess heart failure rather than myocardial infarction.
- Elevated levels correlate with heart failure severity.
Clinical Importance
- Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction: Troponins remain the gold-standard biomarkers for heart attack diagnosis.
- Risk Stratification: Patients with elevated troponins have a higher risk of complications and require urgent intervention.
- Monitoring Treatment: Serial measurement of cardiac markers helps track the progression and recovery of cardiac injury.
Conclusion
Serum cardiac markers play an essential role in detecting and managing heart-related conditions, particularly myocardial infarction. Among them, troponins are the most reliable indicators. Understanding these markers helps ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, reducing the risk of complications.
Source recommendations
1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for the Management of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15289388/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2021-acc-aha-scai-guideline-for-coronary-artery-revascularization
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S073510972106157X
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0b013e3182742cf6
- https://www.acc.org/Guidelines
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Patients Presenting Without Persistent ST-Segment Elevation
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32860058/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-Coronary-Syndromes-ACS-Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26320110/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/14/1289/5898842
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21873419/
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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!
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