The low specificity of creatine kinase (CK) MB elevations for myocardial infarction was confirmed by a prospective analysis of paraspinal muscle and postoperative serum levels of CK-MB. Eleven of 30 patients had serum elevations of CK-MB without myocardial infarction. Elevated CK-MB was not specific for myocardial infarction after spine surgery. CK-MB was found in paraspinal muscle of 93% of patients. CK-MB may be a pathologic marker in patients with spinal disease.
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