Creatine Kinase
CPT Code(s):
82550
Turnaround Time:
4 hours
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen:
Serum
Minimum Volume:
1.0 mL
Transport Container:
Serum Separator Tube (SST) or Red Top Tube
Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature
Collection Instructions:
Allow blood to clot completely prior to centrifugation. Separate serum from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
Rejection Criteria:
Citrate, Fluoride,Sodium Heparin, or EDTA plasma specimen; gross hemolysis; lipemia; improper labeling
Stability Criteria
Room Temperature:
4 hours
Refrigerated:
5 days
Frozen:
60 days
Clinical Significance
The Creatine Kinase (CK) test holds specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in the field of clinical chemistry and muscle function assessment. This test measures the level of creatine kinase, an enzyme found predominantly in muscle tissues, in a patient's blood.
The clinical significance and diagnostic use of Creatine Kinase include:
1. Evaluation of Muscle Damage: Creatine Kinase is primarily used to assess muscle damage or injury. Elevated levels of creatine kinase in the blood can indicate muscle breakdown and leakage of the enzyme into the bloodstream. This can occur due to various causes, including muscle trauma, strenuous exercise, muscle inflammation (myositis), muscle diseases (myopathies), or certain genetic conditions. The test helps healthcare providers identify and monitor muscle damage, guide treatment decisions, and evaluate the response to interventions.
2. Diagnosis and Monitoring of Myocardial Infarction: Creatine Kinase, particularly the CK-MB isoform, is used in the diagnosis and monitoring of myocardial infarction (heart attack). During a heart attack, the CK-MB enzyme is released into the bloodstream due to damage to the heart muscle. Measuring CK-MB levels helps confirm the diagnosis of a heart attack, assess the extent of myocardial injury, and monitor the recovery process.
3. Assessment of Rhabdomyolysis: Rhabdomyolysis is a condition characterized by rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to the release of creatine kinase and other muscle proteins into the bloodstream. Creatine Kinase helps in the diagnosis and monitoring of rhabdomyolysis, which can result from various causes, such as trauma, muscle compression, certain medications, or metabolic disorders. Elevated creatine kinase levels, along with other clinical findings, aid in the early identification and management of rhabdomyolysis.
4. Monitoring Statin Therapy: Creatine kinase levels are monitored in patients taking statin medications, which are commonly prescribed for the management of high cholesterol. In rare cases, statin use can cause muscle damage or a condition known as statin-induced myopathy. Regular monitoring of creatine kinase levels helps detect early signs of muscle injury in patients on statin therapy and guides treatment decisions, such as adjusting medication dosage or considering alternative therapies.
5. Evaluation of Exercise-Induced Muscle Stress: Creatine Kinase is used in sports medicine to assess exercise-induced muscle stress and injury. Intense or prolonged exercise can cause temporary muscle damage and increase creatine kinase levels in the blood. Monitoring creatine kinase levels before and after exercise can help evaluate muscle stress, guide training regimens, and prevent overexertion-related complications.
In summary, Creatine Kinase has specific clinical significance in evaluating muscle damage, diagnosing and monitoring myocardial infarction, assessing rhabdomyolysis, monitoring statin therapy, and evaluating exercise-induced muscle stress. By measuring creatine kinase levels in the blood, this test provides valuable information for clinical decision-making, enabling healthcare providers to diagnose and manage muscle-related conditions, assess cardiac health, guide treatment interventions, and optimize patient care.