Test ID MCA Myocardial Antibodies, Serum
Useful For
Evaluating patients suspected of having post cardiotomy or post myocardial infarction syndromes
Evaluating patients suspected of having inflammatory cardiomyopathy
Method Name
Indirect Immunofluorescence
Reporting Name
Myocardial Abs, SSpecimen Type
SerumContainer/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information
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
Negative
If positive, results are titered.
Reference values apply to all ages.
Cautions
No known false-positives or false-negatives
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday; 11 a.m.
Report Available
1 dayPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test has been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86255-Screen
86256-Titer (if appropriate)