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CPK isoenzymes test

Creatine phosphokinase - isoenzymes; Creatine kinase - isoenzymes; CK - isoenzymes

 

The CPK isoenzymes test measures the different forms of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in the blood. CPK is an enzyme found mainly in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle.

How the Test is Performed

 

A blood sample is needed. This may be taken from a vein. The test is called a venipuncture .

If you are in the hospital, this test may be repeated over 2 or 3 days. A significant rise or fall in the total CPK or CPK isoenzymes can help your health care provider diagnosis certain conditions.

 

How to Prepare for the Test

 

No special preparation is needed in most cases.

Tell your provider about all the medicines you are taking. Some drugs can interfere with test results. Drugs that can increase CPK measurements include the following:

  • Alcohol
  • Amphotericin B
  • Certain anesthetics
  • Cocaine
  • Fibrate drugs
  • Statins
  • Steroids, such as dexamethasone

This list is not all-inclusive.

 

How the Test Will Feel

 

You may feel slight pain when the needle is inserted to draw blood. Some people feel or only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

 

Why the Test is Performed

 

This test is done if a CPK test shows that your total CPK level is elevated. CPK isoenzyme testing can help find the exact source of the damaged tissue.

CPK is made of three slightly different substances:

  • CPK-1 (also called CPK-BB) is found mostly in the brain and lungs
  • CPK-2 (also called CPK-MB) is found mostly in the heart
  • CPK-3 (also called CPK-MM) is found mostly in skeletal muscle

 

What Abnormal Results Mean

 

Higher-than-normal CPK-1 levels:

Because CPK-1 is found mostly in the brain and lungs, injury to either of these areas can increase CPK-1 levels. Increased CPK-1 levels may be due to:

  • Brain cancer
  • Brain injury (due to any type of injury including, stroke, or bleeding in the brain)
  • Electroconvulsive therapy
  • Pulmonary infarction
  • Seizure

Higher-than-normal CPK-2 levels:

CPK-2 levels rise 3 to 6 hours after a heart attack . If there is no further heart muscle damage, the level peaks at 12 to 24 hours and returns to normal 12 to 48 hours after tissue death.

Increased CPK-2 levels may also be due to:

  • Electrical injuries
  • Heart defibrillation (purposeful shocking of the heart by medical personnel)
  • Heart injury (for instance, from a car accident)
  • Inflammation of the heart muscle usually due to a virus (myocarditis)
  • Open heart surgery

Higher-than-normal CPK-3 levels are most often a sign of muscle injury or muscle stress. They may be due to:

  • Crush injuries
  • Muscle damage due to drugs or being immobile for a long time ( rhabdomyolysis )
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Myositis (skeletal muscle inflammation)
  • Receiving many intramuscular injections
  • Recent nerve and muscle function testing (electromyography)
  • Recent seizures
  • Recent surgery
  • Strenuous exercise

 

Considerations

 

Factors that can affect test results include cardiac catheterization , intramuscular injections, recent surgery, and vigorous and prolonged exercise or immobilization.

Isoenzyme testing for specific conditions is about 90% accurate.

 

 

Open References

References

Anderson JL. ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction and complications of myocardial infarction. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 73.

Chinnery PF. Muscle diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 429.

Ferri FF. Muscular Dystrophy. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2016 . Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2016:pp. 832-833.

Nagaraju K, Lundberg IE. Inflammatory diseases of muscle and other myopathies. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris ED Jr, et al, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 85.

 
  • Blood test

    Blood test - illustration

    Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.

    Blood test

    illustration

    • Blood test

      Blood test - illustration

      Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.

      Blood test

      illustration

    Self Care

     

      Tests for CPK isoenzymes test

       
       

      Review Date: 1/9/2015

      Reviewed By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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