Death Following Creatine Kinase-MB Elevation After Coronary Intervention

Abstract

Patients with CK-MB elevation after PCI are at excess risk of death for 3 to 4 months, although prolonging hospitalization for CK-MB 1 to 5x is unlikely to modify risk. CK-MB >5x normal, incomplete revascularization, elevated C-reactive protein, heart failure, the elderly, and hospital discharge without on statin therapy increases risk. Several of these factors suggest that inflammation may play a part in the excess risk of death.