A positive result means that antimyocardial antibodies are present and that Heart disease or damage is likely. Further testing may be needed as other autoantibodies could also be present, causing a false abnormal test.
Normal results will be negative, showing no antinuclear antibodies.
Pagana, Kathleen Deska. Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests. St. Louis: Mosby, Inc., 1998.
This test may be done on a person who recently had trauma to the heart, such as heart surgery or a myocardial infarction (heart attack ). It also may be done on someone with heart disease, such as cardiomyopathy or rheumatic fever.
The amount of antimyocardial antibodies is typically measured using a blood test that detects specific antibodies directed against myocardial tissue. This test is known as an anti-myocardial antibody test. Elevated levels of these antibodies may be indicative of autoimmune conditions or heart-related diseases.
The results for susceptibility are: antibody to EA = negative, antibody to VCA (either IgM or IgG) = negative, antibody to EBNA = negative.
The results for current or recent infection are: antibody to EA = positive, antibody to VCA IgM = positive, antibody to VCA IgG = positive, antibody to EBNA = negative.
A positive test in a person with symptoms of an autoimmune or rheumatic disease helps the physician make a diagnosis.
Reference ranges for the antigen/antibody tests are as follows: hepatitis A antibody, IgM: Negative, hepatitis B core antibody: Negative, hepatitis B e antibody: Negative, hepatitis B e-antigen: Negative.
Discomfort or bruising may occur at the puncture site after the blood is drawn or the person may feel dizzy or faint. Pressure to the puncture site until the bleeding stops reduces bruising. Warm packs on the puncture site relieve discomfort.
HLA typing either by serologic (blood fluid) or DNA methods is reported as the phenotype for each HLA loci tested. The antibody screen test is reported as the percentage of panel reactive antibodies (PRA).
fluorescent antinuclear antibody test, a test for antinuclear antibody components; used, in particular, for the diagnosis of collagen-vascular diseases.
The results of the cold agglutinins test require a doctor's interpretation. In general, however, a normal value is lower than 1:32.