Cardiac Markers: Understanding CK, Troponin & Heart Health

The common cardiac markers, or biomarkers, are creatine kinase (CK) and troponin. Sometimes a change in vernacular will lump all markers into one category known as cardiac biomarkers. No matter the wording, biomarkers are components of a blood chemistry panel widely used in emergency rooms to accurately assess if a patient presenting with chest pain is having a cardiac event, such as a myocardial infarction, or if another mechanism, such as skeletal muscle strain or an acute illness, is mimicking symptoms in such a way that a definitive diagnosis cannot be made without cardiac enzyme results.

Instructions

• 1

  Getting to the heart of cardiac biomarker analysis.

  Ellict a history and physical from the patient to determine if his signs and symptoms warrant investigation by processing a cardiac chemistry panel.

• 2

  Obtain orders for a blood test.

  Obtain a direct order, or utilize standing protocols, that allows blood to be drawn.

• 3

  Use a green-top vacuum tube to collect a blood sample.

• 4

  Release the green-top vacuum tube to the lab, or deliver it to lab personnel.