Variations in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity in experimental and clinical coronary insufficiency, pericarditis, and pulmonary infarction

Previous studies have demonstrated consistent rises in serum activity of the enzyme, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGO-T), following myocardial necrosis of various etiologies. The present study demonstrates markedly different findings in experimental and clinical coronary insufficiency, pericarditis, and pulmonary infarction unless concomitant myocardial necrosis was present. This seems to be a valuable means of differentiating clinical problems in which the presence of myocardial injury is suspected as the basis of the patient's chest pain.