Cardiac Diagnostic Testing Flashcards
Troponin
highly specific marker for cardiac muscle cell death.
Troponin rises within 2-3 hours after cardiac insult and may stay elevated for 10 days to 2 weeks after event
Creatine Kinase
Enzyme found in muscle cells
Elevations suggest muscle damage and can be indicative of injury, rhabdomyolysis, MI, myositis, myocarditis
Noted at 4-6 hours after onset of symptoms
Peaks at 24 hours
Normalizes in 48-72 hours
Myoglobin
protein found in skeletal and cardiac muscle
Typically rises 2-4 hours after onset of infarction
Peaks at 6-12 hours
Normalizes in 24-36 hours
CRP
measures general levels of inflammation in the body
Elevated in infections, chronic disease, surgery
High sensitivity – CRP
2-3 times the risk of MI, stroke, sudden cardiac death and peripheral arterial disease
Homocystine
Amino acid Acquired mostly from meat protein
Decreasing homocystine levels with B-vitamins may not improve outcomes
BNP – Brain naturetic peptide
Produced by the ventricles and atria in response to an increase in volume and pressure
May be helpful in differentiating between CHF and lung disease
AST – Aspartate Transaminase
Enzyme released into the blood when certain organs or tissues, particularly the liver and heart, are injured.
LDH – Lactate dehydrogenase
Found extensively in body tissues, such as blood cells and heart muscle and is released during tissue damage
Cardiac nuclear perfusion imaging: Pharmacologic stress
Dobutamine (positive inotropic and chronotropic agent)
Adenosine or persantine (potent vasodilators)
Echo provides valuable information about…
cardiac structure (chamber size, muscle thickness) and function (ejection fraction, wall movement)
Biventricular pacing
is reserved for therapy in advanced heart failure.
