CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The AST is a cellular enzyme, is found in highest concentration in heart
muscle, the cells of the liver, the cells of the skeletal muscle and in smaller
amounts in other weaves.
Although an elevated level of AST in the serum is not specific of the
hepatic disease, is used mainly to diagnostic and to verify the course of
this disease with other enzymes like ALT and ALP.
Also it is used to control the patients after myocardial infarction, in skeletal
muscle disease and other1,4,5.
Clinical diagnosis should not be made on a single test result; it should
integrate clinical and other laboratory data.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
- Spectrophotometer or colorimeter measuring at 340 nm.
- Matched cuvettes 1,0 cm light path.
- General laboratory equipment.
QUALITY CONTROL
Control sera are recommended to monitor the performance of assay procedures:
SPINTROL H Normal and Pathologic (Ref. 1002120 and 1002210).
If control values are found outside the defined range, check the instrument,
reagents and technique for problems.
Each laboratory should establish its own Quality Control scheme and corrective
actions if controls do not meet the acceptable tolerances.
INTERFERENCES
Anticoagulants currently in use like heparin, EDTA, oxalate and fluoride do not
affect the results. Haemolysis interferes with the assay1
A list of drugs and other interfering substances with AST determination has been
reported2,3.
