Cardiac Troponin T is a more sensitive and more specific marker of cardiac damage than CKMB. Troponin has largely replaced CKMB
Total CK is always assayed first. CKMB is not generally performed where Total CK is < 200 U/L, and is not indicated where Total CK is > 10,000 U/L
The CKMB (mass) assay is largely free from the non-specific reactions seen in the older enzyme-activity assays
Caution should be exercised in the diagnosis of myocardial damage where the total CK is very high, eg: > 5000 U/L.
Small amounts of CKMB may be found in skeletal muscle
Both percent and absolute levels of CKMB may exceed the quoted values
Only available for CCU clinical trial. |