LABORATORY MARKERS FOR MYOCARDIAL INJURY IN CHILDREN WITH CARDIOMYOPATHIES

Twelve biochemical parameters were measured to examine 145 children with cardiovascular diseases (cardiomyopathy, hypertension). Changes in these parameters were ascertained to be similar and different in relation to the specific disease. Cardiomyopathies were characterized by the elevated blood levels of natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, and CNP), myocardial creatine kinase (in all the patients), and aldosterone (in two thirds). In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, there were increases in the blood levels of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as the highest activity of creatine kinase. Dilated cardiomyopathy was characterized by rises in endothelin and ANP and a moderate elevation of creatine kinase. Children with restrictive cardiomyopathy were often noted to have a moderate increase in endothelin