Myoglobin

Myoglobin is a protein that binds oxygen and iron. Myoglobin originates in myocytes and is released into circulation with any damage to muscle tissue, including myocardial necrosis.

Because skeletal muscle contains myoglobin, this measurement is quite non-specific for myocardial infarctions. The benefit lies in the fact that a detectable increase is seen only 30 minutes after injury occurs, unlike troponin and creatine kinase, which can take 3 to 4 hours.

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