13. CK Index
CK index is very useful in situations where there is extensive
skeletal muscle injury, such as trauma and substance abuse. In
patients with motor vehicle trauma, cardiac contusion (related to
steering wheel injury) may coexist with skeletal muscle injury. With
cocaine abuse, there can be massive rhabdomyolysis (skeletal muscle
damage) and, occasionally, cardiac damage. Ethanol abuse, especially
when the patient has DT's, can also be associated with skeletal
muscle injury and elevation of CK.
