What are the causes of elevated creatine kinase isoenzymes?
Disease description:
I went to the hospital for a physical examination yesterday, and the doctor told me that my creatine kinase isoenzyme level was elevated. Could you please explain what elevated creatine kinase isoenzyme means and what should I do?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) is a subtype of creatine kinase (CK) that primarily exists in cardiac muscle cells, thus holding significant value in the evaluation of cardiac injury. When muscles or the heart are damaged, creatine kinase-MB is released into the bloodstream, causing an increase in its blood concentration. Elevated CK-MB levels may be caused by various factors, mainly including:
1. Cardiac diseases: Myocardial infarction is one of the most common causes, during which a large number of cardiac muscle cells die and release substantial amounts of CK-MB. Additionally, myocardial damage can lead to increased secretion of creatine kinase-MB.
2. Brain disorders: Although CK-MB mainly originates from the myocardium, neurological diseases such as stroke, brain trauma, seizures, epileptic seizures, and cerebral infarction may also cause elevated levels of this enzyme.
3. Muscle diseases: Conditions involving muscle damage, such as myasthenia gravis and muscular atrophy, can also result in elevated CK-MB levels.
4. Other factors: Systemic diseases such as shock, hypothyroidism, and fever may indirectly affect muscle or cardiac function and may also lead to abnormal CK-MB levels.
