Release Characteristics of Enzymes Used in the Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction

Release characteristics of S-LD, S-LD1, S-ASAT, S-CK and S-CK-MB were studied in 47 consecutive AMI patients. In addition, previously obtained data for serum myoglobin (S-MYO) were compared. Serum was sampled at regular intervals after admission to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). The release rate and half lives of the enzymes were calculated according to a one-compartment kinetic model. The time to peak values, the time of total release and the half lives were interrelated in the following order: MYO less than CK-MB less than CK less than ASAT less than LD1 less than LD which coincides with the wellknown appearance and disappearance rates in serum. The ratio between mean peak values and upper reference limits followed the reverse order. The finding that the release rate of enzymes and half-lives co-vary is hypothetically suggested to be attributed to differences in rate of membrane diffusion. There is indirect evidence that a slow indicator such as LD1 reflects infarct size better than fast indicators with rapid release and removal such as MYO or CK-MB. However, these fast markers have a better signal to noise ratio, whereby they probably reflect changes in the infarction process better.