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Laboratory analyzers that measure enzymes (e.g., lactate dehydrogenase) in terms of their catalytic activity, expressed in activity units (usually in international units [IU]). The actual mass or molar concentrations are seldom measured because enzymes are present in low concentrations and in a matrix containing a large number of chemically similar proteins and other biochemicals. These analyzers may have adjustable temperature controls and mechanical devices to add reagents and samples automatically and to process multiple specimens in sequence. The progress of the reaction is either recorded to allow the analyst to conform the linearity of the reaction or monitored automatically within microcomputers that reject measurements that do not have acceptable linearity. Dedicated enzyme analyzers are used in the diagnosis and monitoring of several diseases (e.g., myocardial infarction).
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