Creatine kinase - CK

Creatine kinase - CK

Testing creatine kinase levels in the blood.

Creatine kinase is an enzyme located in striated muscle, heart muscle and brain.

The creatine kinase test is used to diagnose:

• myocardial infarction,

• skeletal muscle diseases,

• trauma and bleeding into the central nervous system (CNS).

In the course of myocardial infarction, an increase in activity is observed at the earliest 4-6 hours after the onset of the infarction. The maximum increase occurs after about 18-30 hrs. Typically, the activity decreases after about 72 hrs. Persistently elevated activity after 3-4 days is an indicator of poor prognosis.

The increase in activity also occurs in:

• the course of myocarditis,

• rhabdomyolysis,

• carbon monoxide poisoning,

• muscular dystrophy,

• myositis,

• muscle and head (CNS) injuries,

• subarachnoid haemorrhages.

In addition, creatine kinase testing is also used as an adjunct in the diagnosis of thyroid disorders.

• Collecting the blood sample takes several (less than 20) seconds.

• Sample collection procedures: skin disinfection, applying a tourniquet and several minutes of pressure to the injection site after the procedure.

• There are no contraindications to performing the test.

• The test results are available within 3 working days.

• The patient can get their test results at the reception desk of the selected facility.

• Test results can also be accessed online. To access the results online, it is required to get a password available at the reception desk of the selected facility.