Serum Transaminase Levels after Closed Mitral Valvotomy

Abstract

Elevated serum transaminase levels after surgery may confirm the clinical and electrocardiographic (ECG) diagnosis of myocardial infarction. This useful aid to accurate diagnosis is even more important if the cardiac muscle has been the focal point of the operation when the ECG changes may not be as reliable as in other post-operative surgical cases. Similarly in the clinical evaluation the pain of myocardial origin may be confused with wound pain. If the serum transaminase does not rise more than 50 units per ml. after closed cardiac surgery, it may be considered that myocardial infarction has not occurred and that low cardiac output or severe chest pain probably has another cause. In this clinical investigation no significant difference was found between the post-operative serum transaminase levels of closed mitral valvotomy and a control thoracotomy series.