Elevated serum creatine kinase levels. An early diagnostic sign of acute dissection of the aorta.

Twenty-two patients suffering from acute dissection of the aorta were analyzed for their serum creatine kinase levels within six hours of onset of acute chest pain. Elevated serum levels were found in 14 patients (64%). In five patients, creatine kinase isoenzyme analysis was performed. These five patients showed more than 95% creatine phosphokinase MM isoenzyme of the total creatine kinase level. The finding of elevated levels of total creatine kinase in patients presenting with acute chest pain does not exclude acute dissection of the aorta. Determination of creatine kinase isoenzymes may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of acute chest pain.