Radioimmunoassay for serum myoglobin.

A column flow-through radioimmune assay for serum myoglobin has been developed. The assay uses antibodies to human or rhesus monkey myoglobin coupled to Sepharose by cyanogen bromide activation and myoglobin labeled by the Chloramine-T method. The labeled myoglobin is stable over two to three half-lives. Serum myoglobin levels were elevated when serum was taken up to 12 hours after myocardial infarction and generally elevated up to 24 hours. A continued or repeated elevation of serum myoglobin probably indicates continued myocardial damage or new attacks. In the cases of myocardial infarction, levels up to 1340 ng per ml were found.