The diagnosis of myocardial damage is preferably based on measurement of the cardiac-specific troponins. However, there is an emerging need for early, specific cardiac markers. One potential candidate is the glycogen phosphorylase BB isoenzyme (GPBB). We investigated the use of a new, commercially available GPBB ELISA assay in 61 patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome (37 acute myocardial infarction, 24 unstable angina pectoris) in comparison to established cardiac markers such as troponin T, creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CKMB) mass, and myoglobin. Blood samples were obtained on arrival, as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h later. GPBB plasma concentrations were elevated in 90.9% of patients 1 h after onset of chest pain and increased to 100% at 4-5 h. Within the first 6 h, GPBB showed the highest sensitivity (95.5-100%) and high specificity (94-96%) compared to myoglobin (85-95% sensitivity) and CKMB mass (71.4-91.3% sensitivity). As expected, troponin T showed high specificity (100%) and sensitivity >95% later in the time course (>or=3 h). In un-stable angina pectoris patients, a very high rate of elevated GPBB was observed (93.9% at 3 h) compared to myoglobin (66.7%). Cardiac troponin T and CKMB were only elevated in 33.8% and 55.0% of these patients, respectively. In conclusion, GPBB is a promising marker for the early diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes and could probably act as a marker of ischemia. However, further studies on specificity and development of a fast, automated assay are necessary before GPBB can be recommended as a routine diagnostic tool.