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Stability of the CK-MB isoenzyme on routine storage
J E Buttery1, S Stuart, P R Pannall
1Department of Clinical Chemistry, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, S.A., Australia.
Clinical Biochemistry
|February 1, 1992
Summary
CK-MB isoenzyme stability is method-dependent and affected by storage. Electrophoresis shows lower values with prolonged storage, unlike immunological methods, highlighting the importance of proper laboratory sample handling for accurate cardiac marker testing.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Laboratory Medicine
- Cardiovascular Diagnostics
Background:
- Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) isoenzyme is a critical biomarker for myocardial infarction.
- Previous studies on CK-MB stability primarily used control or purified samples.
- Understanding CK-MB stability in patient sera under various storage conditions is crucial for diagnostic accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the stability of CK-MB isoenzyme in patient sera under diverse laboratory storage conditions.
- To compare CK-MB stability across different measurement methods (electrophoresis, immunoinhibition, immunoenzymetric).
- To identify optimal storage conditions for preserving CK-MB integrity in clinical samples.
Main Methods:
- Patient sera samples were subjected to various storage conditions: immediate testing, room temperature (RT), -20°C, and 4°C for up to 4 days.
- CK-MB levels were measured using electrophoresis, immunoinhibition, and immunoenzymetric assays.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare results from different storage durations and methods.
Main Results:
- Immediate testing yielded significantly higher CK-MB values compared to stored samples.
- CK-MB was stable at -20°C across all tested methods.
- At 4°C, CK-MB remained stable only with immunological methods, showing significant degradation with electrophoresis (p < 0.005).
- Adverse storage (4-6 days at RT) resulted in ~50% CK-MB deterioration via electrophoresis versus ~20% via immunological methods.
Conclusions:
- CK-MB isoenzyme stability is significantly influenced by laboratory storage conditions and measurement methodology.
- Electrophoretic measurement of CK-MB is more susceptible to degradation during storage, especially at room temperature and 4°C, compared to immunological assays.
- Proper sample handling and storage protocols, preferably at -20°C, are essential for reliable CK-MB diagnostic testing, particularly when using electrophoretic methods.