Interpretive reporting of laboratory data. Biochemical profile of an acute myocardial infarct

For cases of myocardial infarction, the laboratory must provide data to help clarify diagnosis, determine prognosis, follow the course of healing, and even quantitate the injury. An interpretive report of sequential enzyme studies performed on samples obtained during the first 48 hours after the admission of patients who had myocardial infarctions is described. The report is composed by using a modest data processing apparatus, incorporates comments based on the results of preprogrammed correlative studies, and calculates the extent of the injury in gram-equivalents of myocardium. Using this approach, analysts and clinicians should be able to design a biochemical profile of a myocardial infarct suitable for use in their own institution.