AST
Alternate Names : Aspartate Aminotransferase, Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase, SGOT
Definition A test that measures the amount of the enzyme AST in serum.
Why is the Test Performed?
AST is in high concentration in heart muscle, liver cells, skeletal muscle cells, and to a lesser degree, in other tissues. Although elevated serum AST is not specific for liver disease, it is used primarily to diagnose and monitor the course of liver disease (in combination with other enzymes such as ALT, ALP, and bilirubin). It has also been used to monitor patients with heart attacks, but it is much less specific than CPK isoenzyme and LDH isoenzyme for this purpose.
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