Test ID: MCA
Myocardial Antibodies, Serum
Useful For 
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Evaluating patients suspected of having post cardiotomy or post myocardial infarction syndromes
Evaluating patients suspected of having inflammatory cardiomyopathy
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Myocardial antibodies occur in the sera of patients who have acute rheumatic fever and carditis, or who have sustained mechanical (surgical or traumatic) or ischemic damage to myocardial tissue in the postcardiotomy and post myocardial infarction syndromes.
In the "myocardial injury" syndromes, circulating myocardial antibodies become detectable 2 to 3 weeks after the injury in 30% (infarction) to 70% (postsurgical) of cases and remain detectable for 3 to 8 weeks.
Myocardial antibodies have been detected in some patients with idiopathic cardiomyopathy.
The pathogenic significance of myocardial antibodies is not known.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Negative
If positive, results are titered.
Reference values apply to all ages.
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Elevated in 30% of myocardial injury patients by the 2nd or 3rd week
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
No known false-positives or false-negatives
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Twomey SL, Bernett GE: Immunofluorescence method for detecting anti-myocardial antibodies, and its use in diagnosing heart disease. Clin Chem 1975;21:1903-1906
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