From the Guidelines
A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) consists of measurements of sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, chloride, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, calcium, albumin, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin. This panel is a crucial diagnostic tool that provides an overall assessment of the body's chemical balance and metabolism, helping healthcare providers evaluate symptoms of various conditions affecting major organ systems, detect early signs of disease, and monitor existing conditions 1. The CMP includes tests for:
- Glucose, which measures blood sugar levels
- Electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, and chloride, which are essential for proper cell function and fluid balance
- Kidney function tests, such as BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine
- Liver function tests, including ALP (alkaline phosphatase), ALT (alanine transaminase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), and bilirubin
- Proteins like albumin and total protein, which evaluate nutritional status and liver function The CMP is typically ordered as part of a routine physical examination or when evaluating symptoms of various conditions affecting major organ systems, and the test requires fasting for 8-12 hours beforehand to ensure accurate glucose measurements 1. Results from a CMP help healthcare providers assess overall health status, detect early signs of disease, monitor existing conditions, and evaluate the effects of medications on organ function, ultimately prioritizing morbidity, mortality, and quality of life as the primary outcome 1.
From the Research
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Components
A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a group of tests that measure various substances in the blood to assess metabolic function. The components of a CMP may include:
- Electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride) 2
- Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (to assess renal function) 2
- Liver function tests (such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total protein, and albumin) 3
- Total calcium (although its necessity in the panel has been questioned) 4
- Other tests to evaluate glucose, protein, and electrolyte levels in the blood 5
Analytes in a CMP
The analytes in a CMP can be measured using various methods, including point-of-care analyzers like the Abaxis Piccolo Xpress® 5. The performance of these analyzers has been evaluated, and they have been shown to provide satisfactory results for most analytes, although some exceptions have been noted (such as sodium, total CO2, AST, and total bilirubin) 5.
Clinical Applications
CMPs are used in clinical settings to assess metabolic function, diagnose diseases, and monitor treatment efficacy 3, 6. They can provide valuable information about a patient's overall health and help healthcare professionals make informed decisions about diagnosis and treatment.