Creatine kinase

Creatine kinases are dimeric enzymes that occur in the cytosol of various energy-consuming cells. The determination of creatine kinase is particularly important in skeletal muscle diseases. CK-MB is most active in the myocardium. Although not fully cardiospecific, it is still used as a biochemical parameter for acute myocardial infarction in conjunction with total CK after cardiac troponins .

Standard value (total CK):

• Women < 145 U/l
• Men < 170 U/l
• Children (<6 months): <300U/l
• Infants (<6d): <700U/l

standard value (creatine kinase isoenzyme MB):

• Adults: <24U/l

Pathologically increased: Myocarditis, myocardial infarction, muscular lesions, progressive muscular dystrophy, polymyositis; rhabdomyolysis, myasthenia gravis, malignant hyperthermia, secondary myopathies, acute myocardial infarction, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions on the heart, pulmonary embolism, malignant tumours, neurological diseases with damage to the blood-brain barrier, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, haemolysis and myeloproliferative syndrome.

Isoenzymes: CK-MM, CK-MB, CK-BB.