Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in serum during recent acute myocardial infarction.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LD, EC 1.1.1.27) isoenzymes 1 and 2 and the LD 1:2 ratio were determined in 62 patients with recent myocardial infarction 24, 48, and 72 h after total serum LD activity had returned to normal values. From the results we could define two groups of patients. The first, 40 patients in whom proportions of LD-1 and LD-2 isoenzymes in serum and the LD 1:2 ratio were all within the normal reference interval, all had an uncomplicated course of recovery from myocardial infarction. In the remaining 22 patients, LD-1 still exceeded LD-2 24 to 72 h after total LD activity returned to normal values; i.e., the ratio was similar to that in patients with myocardial infarction. Seven of these 22 patients (32%) had a complicated course, with re-infarction in all seven. Thus, even in the presence of normal total LD activity, a high LD 1:2 ratio may reflect a consistent focal myocardial necrosis in some patients with recent myocardial infarction and may serve as an early marker for further re-infarction.