Which panel is commonly used to confirm a myocardial infarction?

Which panel is commonly used to confirm a myocardial infarction?

• A. PT, PTT, INR
• B. Na+, K+, CK-BB
• C. Troponin, CK-MB, LDH
• D. BUN, Cr, CK-MM

Answer: (C)

Cardiac biomarkers are used to confirm myocardial infarction. Troponin I or T is the most specific indicator of myocardial injury and remains elevated for days after an MI, making it the primary test to diagnose the event. CK-MB rises a bit earlier and can help identify reinfarction when serial measurements are compared. LDH is an older marker that rises with cardiac damage but is less specific than troponin and CK-MB. Together, troponin, CK-MB, and LDH form a panel that strengthens the confirmation of MI when paired with clinical symptoms and ECG changes. The other panels don’t target heart muscle injury: coagulation tests assess clotting function, not myocardial damage; electrolyte tests with CK-BB relate to non-cardiac processes; and BUN/creatinine with CK-MM point to kidney and skeletal muscle issues rather than heart injury.

Cardiac biomarkers are used to confirm myocardial infarction. Troponin I or T is the most specific indicator of myocardial injury and remains elevated for days after an MI, making it the primary test to diagnose the event. CK-MB rises a bit earlier and can help identify reinfarction when serial measurements are compared. LDH is an older marker that rises with cardiac damage but is less specific than troponin and CK-MB. Together, troponin, CK-MB, and LDH form a panel that strengthens the confirmation of MI when paired with clinical symptoms and ECG changes.

The other panels don’t target heart muscle injury: coagulation tests assess clotting function, not myocardial damage; electrolyte tests with CK-BB relate to non-cardiac processes; and BUN/creatinine with CK-MM point to kidney and skeletal muscle issues rather than heart injury.