Clinical Significance of Serum Creatine Phosphokinase Activity in Cerebrovascular Diseases

Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities in 104 patients with cerebrovascular diseases were estimated and their clinical significance was discussed. Thirty-eight of 54 patients at acute stage showed the serum enzyme levels of over 100 I. U. per liter, though those of all 50 patients at chronic stage showed normal values. Serum CPK levels higher than 300 I. U. per liter were found in 11 cases, of which 4 revealed relatively good prognoses, so that high CPK activity would not always signify a severe clinical status or a poor prognosis. On the other hand, the outlook over the patient whose serum CPK level has been within normal range during the first 2 or 3 days after the onset might be favorable. Comparison of CPK activity in the sera from the jugular vein, peripheral limb vein and femoral artery failed to disclose the source of plasma CPK activity increased in the acute CVD.