Changes in blood-serum enzymes in rheumatic myocarditis.

Serum activity analyses of nine enzymes [CPK, HBDH, SDH, ALP, GPT, GOT, LDH, MDH, ALD] in patients with rheumaitc carditis revealed certain elevations of the mean values of LDH, GOT, HBDH, GPT, ALP and MDH. These changes have no particular diagnostic importance because similar findings were also obtained in patients with both rheumatic and nonrheumatic arthritis. The changes occurring during antirheumatic treatment are minimal and statistically not significant. Greater elevations of LDH, ALD, GOT, HBDH, GPT, MDH, and ALP are found in patients with decompensated rheumatic heart disease associated with active rheumatic carditis.