LDH in myocardial disease

Last reviewed 01/2018

LDH may rise following myocardial infarction and in myocarditis.

Following a myocardial infarction:

  • levels increase after 12 to 24 hours
  • peak at 48 to 72 hours
  • return to normal after 8 to 10 days, providing there are no complications
  • the peak reached is from two to ten times the upper reference limit
  • the normal plasma LD1:LD2 isoenzyme ratio of less than 1.0 is reversed

Therefore, LDH provides a valuable late indicator of infarction. Assessment of LD1 and LD2 provide a more specific index of infarction.