Is CK-MB isoenzyme useful for diagnosis of cardiac involvement in icteric leptospirosis?

Abstract

In the absence of heart failure or cardiogenic shock, cardiac involvement diagnosis in icteric leptospirosis is possible on the basis of abnormal electrocardiograms. As metabolic and electrolytic disorders are frequently seen during acute leptospirosis infection, they may be responsible for some electrocardiograms changes. We conducted a study to assess if creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme determinations are useful in selecting patients with a high cardiac involvement suspicion. Sixty-nine patients were studied prospectively. Ten patients out of 16 with cardiac involvement and 25 without had high CK-MB levels (p > 0.05), although mean values of abnormal CK-MB levels were higher in the group with cardiac involvement (p < 0.05). Our analysis indicates that serum CK-MB determination does not provide a specific indicator of myocardial involvement in the course of icteric leptospirosis.

Cardiac involvement in critically ill patients with leptospirosis: A prospective study using myocardial deformation imaging

“…In one study, creatinine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) isoenzyme levels were reported to be elevated in about half of hospitalized patients with leptospirosis. 30 However, CK-MB elevation was neither specific nor sensitive for detecting cardiovascular involvement in leptospirosis. 30 Similarly, in an observational study, troponin levels were elevated in 44% of patients admitted to the ICU with leptospirosis.…”

“…30 However, CK-MB elevation was neither specific nor sensitive for detecting cardiovascular involvement in leptospirosis. 30 Similarly, in an observational study, troponin levels were elevated in 44% of patients admitted to the ICU with leptospirosis. 5 But, the value of troponin in predicting LV dysfunction in leptospirosis was not known.…”