cardiac biomarkers
Blood tests that detect proteins released during myocardial injury, primarily used to diagnose heart attacks.
Full Definition
Cardiac biomarkers are measurable substances in the blood that indicate myocardial injury or stress. The most commonly used biomarkers include troponin I and T, which are highly specific for cardiac muscle damage and remain elevated for days after myocardial infarction. Other biomarkers include creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), myoglobin, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) for heart failure assessment. High-sensitivity troponin assays have improved the early detection of myocardial infarction and risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes. The timing of biomarker elevation and clearance helps distinguish acute from chronic myocardial injury.
Usage
Usage note: Preferred term over 'cardiac enzymes' as not all markers are enzymes; specify which biomarkers when reporting results.
In Context
- "Serial cardiac biomarkers were drawn every 8 hours to assess for myocardial infarction." — emergency department protocol
- "The patient's cardiac biomarkers were negative, helping to rule out acute coronary syndrome." — laboratory results interpretation