Myoglobin and creatine phosphokinase in serum during and after aortic bypass grafting

In 10 patients undergoing aortic bypass grafting with peroperative aortic cross-clamping we measured the levels of myoglobin and creatine phosphokinase. The duration of peroperative lower limb arterial clamping ranged from 50 min to 95 min. No significant increase in either serum myoglobin or in serum creatine phosphokinase was found during lower limb arterial clamping or for the first two hours after release of ischemia. Both parameters reached a maximum value at 24 hours after release of ischemia, with a median serum myoglobin concentration of 565 micrograms/l (range: 132-2688 micrograms/l) and a median serum creatine phosphokinase activity of 457 U/l (range: 190-1602 U/l). The increase in serum myoglobin and creatine phosphokinase was not associated with the duration of lower limb arterial clamping. Renal impairment was not found in these patients, as evaluated by the serum concentration of beta 2-microglobulin.