CPK Isoenzymes

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What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Higher-than-normal CPK-1 levels may occur with the following:

• Brain cancer
• Brain injury (due to trauma, stroke, or bleeding in the brain)
• Electroconvulsive therapy
• Pulmonary infarction
• Seizure

• Heart attack
  • There is a significant rise in CPK-2 levels in the first 2 to 3 hours after a heart attack. This test is used to diagnose a heart attack.

  • The extent of the elevation depends on the severity of the heart attack. CPK levels may remain elevated up to 24 hours after a heart attack, and sometimes even longer.

• Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle usually due to a virus)
• Electrical injuries
• Trauma to the heart (for instance, from a car accident)
• Heart defibrillation (purposeful shocking of the heart by medical personnel)
• Open heart surgery

Higher-than-normal CPK-3 levels may occur with the following:

• Crush injuries of skeletal muscle
• Multiple intramuscular injections
• Muscular dystrophy
• Myositis (skeletal muscle inflammation)
• Post-electromyography (a test of nerve and muscle function)
• Recent seizures
• Recent surgery
• Rhabdomyolysis (skeletal muscle damage due to drugs or prolonged immobilization)
• Strenuous exercise