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BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS FOR MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
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Diagnosis is based on blood levels of proteins that are leaked out from irreversibly damaged myocyte
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These molecules include –
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Cardiac specific troponins T and I (cTnT & cTnI)
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MB fraction of creatine kinase (CK-MB)
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Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
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Myoglobin
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Cardiac-specific troponins (cTn)
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Most sensitive & specific biomarkers of MI
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Troponins – regulate calcium mediated contraction of cardiac and skeletal muscle
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They are Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) & Cardiac troponin I (cTnI)
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Not found in the blood normally
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Post MI – begin to rise at 3-12 hours
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cTnT levels peak – 12-48 hours
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cTnI levels peak – 24 hours
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Creatine kinase
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Enzyme present in brain, myocardium and skeletal muscle
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It is a dimer composed of two isoforms designated as “M” and “B”.
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MM homodimer – present in cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle
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BB homodimer –present in brain, lung and many other tisuues
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MB heterodimer – present in cardiac muscle (lesser amount in skeletal muscle)
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MB form of Creatine kinase is sensitive but not specifc
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Rises within 3-12 hrs of onset of MI,
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Peaks in approximately 24 hrs
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Returns to normal by 72 hrs
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But elevated Troponin levels persists for approximately 10 to 14 days after acute MI
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Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
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Lacks sensitivity
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Enzyme is present in various tissues – myocardium, skeletal muscle, kidneys, liver, lungs and red blood cells
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It has 2 forms LDH 1 & 2.
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LDH 1 – more myocardial specific
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LDH1:LDH2 > 1 — Indicates MI
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LDH peaks in 3 days and persists for 4 to 7 days
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Myoglobin
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First marker to be elevated after MI
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Lacks cardiac specificity
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Excreted rapidly in urine
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Its level return to normal within 24 hrs post acute MI
SUMMARY OF MARKERS OF MI
References
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Vinay kumar, Abul K.Abbas, Nelson Fausto, Jon C. Aster. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic basis of disease. 9th edition.
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Harsh mohan. Text book of Pathology.8th edition.2019
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