Cardiac Enzyme Studies: Results
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Results
Cardiac enzyme studies measure the levels of the enzyme creatine phosphokinase (CPK, CK) and the protein troponin (TnI, TnT) in the blood.
Test results are usually available within an hour.
Values and units for reporting the results of cardiac enzyme tests vary considerably from lab to lab. The values listed below can be used as a general guide. Check with your lab or doctor for specific values.
| Normal: | TnI: Less than 0.3 micrograms per liter (mcg/L) TnT: Less than 0.1 mcg/L |
|---|---|
| Abnormal: | Elevated troponin may be present when you have heart muscle injury. Blood levels of troponin typically rise within 4 to 6 hours after a heart attack, reach their highest levels within 10 to 24 hours, and fall to normal levels within 10 days. |
| Normal: | Men: | |
|---|---|---|
Women: | 30–135 IU/L | |
| Abnormal: | CPK levels generally rise within 4 to 8 hours after a heart attack, reach their highest levels within 12 to 24 hours, then return to normal within 3 to 4 days. | |
| Normal: | Less than 3.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) (0% of total CPK) |
|---|---|
| Abnormal: | CPK-MB is found in large amounts in the heart muscle. A CPK-MB greater than 3.0 ng/mL may be present when you have muscle damage caused by a heart attack. Blood levels of CPK-MB typically rise within 2 to 6 hours after a heart attack, reach their highest levels within 12 to 24 hours, and fall to normal levels within 3 days. |
An ongoing high level of CPK-MB levels after 3 days may mean that a heart attack is progressing and more heart muscle is being damaged. |
| Last updated: | September 13, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS |
| Reviewed By: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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