Answer to Question #93370 in Biochemistry for Kylie

Question

Explain how monitoring certain enzymes in the blood can help us diagnose
certain diseases, specifically myocardial infarction

Answer 1

Cardiac markers or cardiac enzymes are proteins that leak out of injured myocardial cells through their damaged cell membranes into the bloodstream during myocardial infarction. Cardiac markers or cardiac enzymes are proteins that leak out of injured myocardial cells through their damaged cell membranes into the bloodstream.  Now, the markers most widely used in detection of MI are MB subtype of the enzyme creatine kinase and cardiac troponins T and I as they are more specific for myocardial injury. These are released within 4-6 hours after an attack. and remain elevated upto 2 weeks.  When damage to the heart occurs, levels of cardiac markers rise over time, which is why blood tests for them are taken over a 24-hour period.