Clinical Enzymology and Biomarkers

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to clinical enzymology and biomarkers, including their roles in diagnosis and treatment.

Isoenzymes

Different forms of an enzyme that catalyze the same reaction but differ in properties or tissue distribution.

Cardiac Troponins

Proteins (TnI and TnT) that are specific markers for myocardial infarction.

Creatine Kinase (CK)

An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of creatine and ATP to creatine phosphate and ADP, used as a marker for myocardial infarction.

CK-MB

Creatine kinase isoenzyme found predominantly in the heart muscle, crucial for diagnosing myocardial infarction.

Myoglobin

A protein that carries oxygen in muscle tissue; though sensitive, it is nonspecific for myocardial damage.

High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP)

An inflammatory marker used as a predictor of risk in cardiac diseases.

Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT)

An enzyme that plays a crucial role in amino acid metabolism, elevated in liver diseases.

Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST)

An enzyme used to diagnose liver damage, can be elevated during myocardial infarction.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

An enzyme related to the hydrolysis of phosphate esters; elevated in liver and bone diseases.

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)

An enzyme involved in the metabolism of glutathione that indicates liver dysfunction.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

A cardiac biomarker that helps in diagnosing heart failure and ventricular dysfunction.

Nucleotide Phosphatase (NTP)

An enzyme that hydrolyzes nucleotides, increased in liver diseases.

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)

An enzyme that converts pyruvate to lactate, marker for tissue necrosis.

Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA)

A cardiac marker that detects ischemia by measuring altered albumin.

Glycogen Phosphorylase Iso-enzyme BB (GPBB)

An isoenzyme that is released during myocardial ischemia, useful for diagnosing heart conditions.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

A biomarker for prostate cancer, produced by the epithelium of the prostate.

Enzyme Profiles

Profiles of enzyme presence in different diseases, providing diagnostic information.

Immunology

The branch of medicine and biology concerned with immunity.

Serial Testing

The process of testing the same biomarkers multiple times to track progression or improvement.

Total Creatine Kinase

Sum total of CK isoenzymes in the blood, used to gauge muscle and heart health.

Iso-enzyme Pattern

Distribution and concentration of various isoenzymes in the bloodstream, helpful in diagnosis.

Troponin I (TnI)

Cardiac-specific isoform of troponin in muscle, elevated in myocardial infarction.

Troponin T (TnT)

Another cardiac-specific form of troponin, aids in diagnosing myocardial damage.

Crush Injury

Severe muscle damage causing elevated CK levels, used in diagnosing muscle diseases.

Elevated cTn levels

Indicate cardiac injury beyond myocardial infarction, including other acute conditions.

Hyperparathyroidism

A condition characterized by an overproduction of parathyroid hormone, leading to elevated ALP.

Myoenzyme

An enzyme that is found in muscle tissue, specific for muscle-related conditions.

Creatine Phosphate

A energy reserve in muscles, conversion catalyzed by creatine kinase.

Cholinesterase (ChE)

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, important in nerve function.

LDH iso-enzyme

Different forms of lactate dehydrogenase, important for diagnosing myocardial infarction.

False Positives

Test results that indicate a disease or condition is present when it is not.

Hemolysis

Destruction of red blood cells, can artificially increase some enzyme levels.

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

An umbrella term for conditions like myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Prognostic Indicator

A clinical factor that predicts the likely outcome of a disease.

Specificity in Testing

The ability of a test to correctly identify those without the disease.

Sensitivity in Testing

The ability of a test to correctly identify those with the disease.

Enzyme Activity

The catalytic performance of an enzyme, which can vary between diseases.

Recombinant Enzymes

Genetically engineered enzymes used in treatments, such as thrombolytics.

Therapeutic Enzymes

Enzymes used in medical treatments, may help break down clots or improve digestion.

Normal Reference Values

Established ranges of enzyme levels in healthy individuals, used for comparison.

Regan Iso-enzyme

An iso-enzyme of alkaline phosphatase associated with certain types of cancer.

Flipped Pattern

Change in the ratio of LDH isoforms seen in myocardial infarction.

Immunological Tests

Tests that utilize antibodies for the detection of biomarkers.

Circulating Isoforms

Different forms of cardiac biomarkers present in the bloodstream.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas, significantly elevating amylase and lipase levels.

Creatinine Kinase Reference Values

Standard values for CK levels used to assess cardiac events.

Tetrameric Enzyme

An enzyme composed of four subunits, such as LDH.

Vitamin B6

Also known as pyridoxal phosphate, a coenzyme for certain transaminases.

Endothelium

The thin layer of cells lining blood vessels, important in cardiovascular health.

Microalbuminuria

The presence of a small amount of albumin in the urine, often a sign of kidney damage, especially in diabetes.

Creatinine Clearance

A measure of kidney function that assesses how well creatinine is cleared from the blood.

B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

A hormone produced by the heart that helps diagnose heart failure.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

A protein produced by the liver that increases in response to inflammation, useful for assessing cardiovascular risk.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]

A type of lipoprotein associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

Often termed 'good' cholesterol, helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Often termed 'bad' cholesterol, high levels can lead to plaque build-up in arteries.

Triglycerides

A type of fat found in the blood; elevated levels can increase the risk of heart disease.

Electrolytes

Minerals in the blood that help maintain fluid balance and are essential for normal cell function.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

A blood test that indicates average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, used to diagnose diabetes.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A measure of body fat based on height and weight, used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity.

Cardiac Stress Test

A test that measures the heart's ability to respond to stress, typically exercise.

Coronary Angiography

A procedure that uses dye and X-rays to see how blood flows through the heart.

Echocardiogram

An ultrasound test that provides pictures of the heart's chambers, valves, and surrounding structures.

Holter Monitor

A portable device worn to continuously monitor heartbeat, typically over 24 hours.

Ventricular Hypertrophy

The thickening of the heart's ventricles, often due to high blood pressure.

Arrhythmia

An irregular heartbeat, which can be too fast, too slow, or erratic.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

A common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat.

Cardiac Output

The total amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute

Microalbuminuria

The presence of a small amount of albumin in the urine, often a sign of kidney damage, especially in diabetes.

Creatinine Clearance

A measure of kidney function that assesses how well creatinine is cleared from the blood.

B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

A hormone produced by the heart that helps diagnose heart failure.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

A protein produced by the liver that increases in response to inflammation, useful for assessing cardiovascular risk.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]

A type of lipoprotein associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

Often termed 'good' cholesterol, helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Often termed 'bad' cholesterol, high levels can lead to plaque build-up in arteries.

Triglycerides

A type of fat found in the blood; elevated levels can increase the risk of heart disease.

Electrolytes

Minerals in the blood that help maintain fluid balance and are essential for normal cell function.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

A blood test that indicates average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, used to diagnose diabetes.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A measure of body fat based on height and weight, used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity.

Cardiac Stress Test

A test that measures the heart's ability to respond to stress, typically exercise.

Coronary Angiography

A procedure that uses dye and X-rays to see how blood flows through the heart.

Echocardiogram

An ultrasound test that provides pictures of the heart's chambers, valves, and surrounding structures.

Holter Monitor

A portable device worn to continuously monitor heartbeat, typically over 24 hours.

Ventricular Hypertrophy

The thickening of the heart's ventricles, often due to high blood pressure.

Arrhythmia

An irregular heartbeat, which can be too fast, too slow, or erratic.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

A common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat.

Cardiac Output

The total amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute.