2004年3月12日 · Question. Some patients presenting with pneumonia have elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels. What is the pathophysiology behind this, and does this finding have any clinical relevance?

Over one year, 2028 patients (mean age, 52.7; 59.9% women) were prospectively enrolled. Samples for CK-MB testing were obtained at the time of presentation.

The measurement of CK, especially the isoenzyme CK-MB, is considered as an alternative to Tn measurement to detect heart injury, but only if this latter is not available. Blood CK-MB may be ...