Abstract
Introduction: Cerebral infarction
is the third cause of morbidity and mortality in the occidental
world. The diagnosis is usually based on clinical and imaging
studies, like computerized axial tomography. However, the
prognostic value is limited especially in the first 48 h after
the event. Currently, creatinphosphokinase tests are not known
as a prognostic tool.
Objective: To study the
creatinphosphokinase serum levels in patients with cerebral
infarction in the first hours after the event, to determinate
prognosis and establish a relation with disability.
Patients and methods: Forty
hospitalized patients with cerebral infarction were studied.
Levels of creatinphosphokinase in serum were measured at 12, 24
and 48 hours after infarction and were associated with
disability using the Rankin modified scale.
Results: The creatinphosphokinase
concentration increased during the first 12 hours after
infarction, was higher at 24 hours and, at 48 hours, it began to
decrease. The levels of creatinphosphokinase are correlated with
disability results in the Rankin scale.
Conclusions: The
creatinphosphokinase can be a useful tool in the prognostic
evaluation of disability in patients suffering brain infarction,
in the first hours after the event takes place, and preceding
tomographic alterations.
