Biochemical testing in acute coronary syndrome

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Pham Van Hung - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.

1. Overview of acute coronary syndromes

Acute coronary syndrome is a collection of clinical symptoms caused by acute myocardial ischemia. Acute coronary syndromes include:
Acute myocardial infarction with ST elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG). Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction on electrocardiogram. Unstable angina. Common causes that can lead to acute coronary syndrome include:
Atherosclerotic plaque rupture with acute embolism. Mechanical blockage. Inflammation. Coronary artery spasm.

2. Biochemical tests in acute coronary syndromes

Biochemical tests are based on determining the content of substances present in cardiac muscle cells that are released when necrosis due to ischemia. Biochemical tests should be performed as soon as possible and repeated periodically to monitor progress and extent of necrosis.
In acute coronary syndromes, ECG changes appear earlier than enzymes, but there are sites that are not detected by ECG. Therefore, the role of biochemical tests is irreplaceable. Biochemical tests include:
2.1. AST enzyme tests:
AST biochemical test has normal value: 10-30 U/L. In myocardial infarction may increase to 300-500 U/L. AST increases starting 10 h after myocardial infarction, peaks after 36 h, and returns to normal after 72 h. Therefore, AST is of value in the diagnosis of late myocardial infarction and recurrent myocardial infarction. AST is also present in the liver and skeletal muscle, so the sensitivity and specificity are not high. LDH:
LDH has 5 isozymes numbered from 1 to 5, in which LDH1 is the cardiac isozyme. Normal value: 230-460 U/L. LDH begins to increase 20 hours after infarction, peaks after 72 hours, and returns to normal after more than 1 week. LDH is often used to diagnose late myocardial infarction, or to make a retrospective diagnosis and to monitor recovery. CK-MB:
CK-MB is one of three isozymes of CK (creatine kinase), which is abundant in cardiac muscle cells. Normal value: <25 U/L. CK-MB increased as early as 3 hours after infarct onset and returned to normal after 2-3 days. CK-MB is a useful biochemical test in the diagnosis of recurrent myocardial infarction and its extension. HBDH:
HBDH is the most abundant enzyme in the heart muscle. Normal value: 80-220 U/L. HBDH remains elevated for 3 weeks after an angina attack, so it is predictive. HBDH/LDH ratio > 0.8 when myocardial damage is present.

2.2. Protein and peptide tests Myoglobin:
Myoglobin is a protein found in skeletal muscle cells that is released into the bloodstream very soon after myocardial injury. Myoglobin test has a normal value: <70-110 μg/L. Myoglobin begins to increase 2 to 4 hours after infarction. Therefore, this is the earliest and most sensitive marker in the early hours of acute coronary syndrome. Troponin I:
Only found in the human heart muscle, very sensitive to even the smallest myocardial damage. Normal value: <0.01 ng/mL. Troponin I begins to increase from 3 to 6 hours after infarction, peaks from 2 to 20 hours and returns to normal after 5-10 days. Elevated troponin I levels are associated with an increased risk of death in people with acute coronary syndromes. Troponin T:
Troponin T in the myocardium has a cardiac-specific first-order amino acid sequence. Normal value: <0.1 ng/mL Troponin T begins to increase 3 to 4 hours after infarction, peaks at 10 to 24 hours, and returns to normal after 10-14 days. Troponin T is also elevated in acute ischemic heart disease and may be falsely positive in patients with chronic kidney disease. In summary, acute coronary syndrome can cause serious complications, even death. As soon as they notice signs of the disease such as: chest pain, bloating, shortness of breath, sudden sweating, etc., the patient needs to go to a medical facility for examination, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
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