Sign in  |  Register

Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Ency. home > Test > C > CPK

CPK   

Overview | Risks | Results

Alternative names:

CK; Creatine kinase; Creatine phosphokinase

Definition:

A blood test that measures creatine phosphokinase (CPK; an enzyme found predominantly in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle). When the total CPK level is substantially elevated, it usually indicates injury or stress to one or more of these areas.

How the Test is Performed

Adult or child:
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood). A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

Infant or young child:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.

This test may be repeated over 2 or 3 days for hospitalized people. The pattern of a rise or fall in CPK (or CPK isoenzymes) can be diagnostically significant.

How to Prepare for the Test

Adult:
Usually no special preparation is necessary.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation a parent can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on the child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people may feel moderate pain, while others may feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the Test is Performed

When a muscle is damaged, CPK leaks into the bloodstream. Determining which isoenzyme (specific form of CPK) is elevated will help determine which tissue has been damaged.

This test is used to:

Repeated CPK levels may be performed. The pattern and timing of a rise and/or fall in CPK levels can be diagnostically significant, particularly if a heart attack is suspected.

Ency. home > Test > C > CPK

[an error occurred while processing this directive]