[Differential diagnosis of elevated myoglobinemia]

The authors evaluate the value of examinations of myoglobinaemia as a biochemical indicator of some diseases. Clinically most significant is the transient rise of serum myoglobin levels in acute myocardial infarction. From the aspect of early diagnosis, investigation of the course of the disease and for evaluation of thrombolytic treatment the assessment of myoglobin is much more sensitive than hitherto used "cardiospecific enzymes". The authors mention other pathological conditions with damage of the cardiac tissue where elevated myoglobinaemia may be anticipated. In addition to cardiac affections the following conditions are associated with elevated serum myoglobin concentrations: a) conditions with increased myoglobin release from skeletal muscles, b) conditions with a reduced myoglobin excretion from the organism and markedly reduced glomerular filtration, c) diseases and conditions where both mentioned mechanisms participate in the rise of myoglobinaemia. The use of assessment of myoglobin concentrations for the differential diagnosis depends on the introduction of suitable locally produced kits for rapid and simple estimation.