Application of multivariate analysis to the enzyme patterns in the serum of patients undergoing coronary artery operation.

Serial determinations of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase were performed in 50 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac operation for coronary artery bypass or combined valve replacement and coronary artery bypass. Thirty-seven patients (74%) who demonstrated minimal or no changes on the electrocardiogram manifested a recognizable pattern of distribution of the enzyme sequences. The pattern of these patients served as controls for the detection of abnormal patterns. All other patients were grouped together, regardless of clinical behavior. Perioperative myocardial infarction was established in 5 patients (10%) and resulted in 1 death. The purpose of this study was to apply discriminant analysis to two clinically determined patient groups in order to ascertain whether the three enzyme readings can be used to classify patients into their respective groups. The results suggest that enzyme profiles reflect degrees of myocardial damage that can serve to identify clinical infarction.