Intermediate
Technical
IVT
creatine kinase
Enzyme released from damaged muscle cells, elevated levels indicate muscle injury or disease.
Full Definition
Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme found predominantly in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and brain tissue. In neuromuscular medicine, serum CK levels serve as a biomarker for muscle damage or disease. Elevated CK levels may indicate myopathy, muscular dystrophy, myositis, or muscle trauma. The CK-MM isoform is most specific for skeletal muscle involvement.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as CK; older abbreviation CPK (creatine phosphokinase) is still used.
In Context
- "Markedly elevated creatine kinase levels suggested ongoing muscle destruction." — Laboratory interpretation
- "Normal creatine kinase does not exclude inflammatory myopathy diagnosis." — Clinical reasoning
Also known as
CK
creatine phosphokinase
CPK
Don't confuse with
troponin
aldolase