In the recent years, biomarkers of myocardial damage have been the most rapidly developing part of clinical biochemistry. Implementing of new myocardial markers has been very fast, mostly without profound clinical and analytical experience. During a short period of time, new methods on determination of myoglobin, troponins, CKMB mass concentration, hs CRP, BNP, NT-proBNP, IMA and others have been introduced. These testing methods essentially change our view on diagnostics, prognosis and optimal therapy of acute coronary syndromes. The determination of some biomarkers of myocardial damage as cTnI are not synchronized in assays used by different companies. Thus, biochemical and cardiological societies make efforts to standardize the determination of myocardial damage and to give instructions to their optimal clinical application. Our report presents recommendations of medical societies which have been published since 1999. We give detailed information on suggested guidelines on determination and clinical application of biomarkers of acute coronary syndrome and heart failure issued by the US National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry in 2004.

        Key words: biomarkers of myocardial damage, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, troponins, standardisation.