心肌型脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)与cTnI、CK-MB组合在诊断早期AMI中的比较

目的研究血清心肌型脂肪酸结合蛋白（H—FABP）在早期急性心肌梗死（AMI）诊断中的价值,比较不同心肌损伤标志物组合诊断早期AMI的价值。方法选择疑似急性冠脉综合征患者102例,采用酶联免疫吸附法（Elisa）测定AMI患者发病1h、2h、3h、4～6h、7～12h时血清H—FABP浓度变化,并与心肌肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）、肌酸激酶同工酶（CK—MB）的检测结果进行比较,分析3种心肌损伤标志物及不同心肌标志物组合H—FABP＋cTnI与H—FABP＋CK—MB在诊断不同发病时间段AMI的敏感性和特异性。结果①在AMI发病3h内,H—FABP的诊断敏感性（66．7％）优于cTnI（0％）和CK—MB（0％）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。在AMI发病4～6h内,H—FABP的敏感性（94．4％）仍高于cTnI（61．1％）和CK—MB（50％）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。②H—FABP＋cTnI组合对AMI的诊断敏感度最高（95．8％）,特异度亦最高（100％）。H-FABP＋cTnI组合次之,分别为93．75％和97．2％。这两种组合对AMI的诊断敏感度与单个H—FABP、cTnI和CK—MB比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,诊断特异度亦明显升高。结论在AMI发病6h内,H—FABP是最为敏感的心脏标志物,尤以发病3h内最敏感。H—FABP与不同心肌损伤标志物cTnI和CK—MB的组合均具有较高的敏感性和特异性,可提高早期诊断AMI的准确率。     

心肌型脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)在诊断早期AMI中的临床应用

目的探讨血清心肌型脂肪酸结合蛋白（H—FABP）在早期急性心肌梗死（AMI）诊断中的价值。方法选择疑似急性冠脉综合征患者102例,采用酶联免疫吸附法（Elisa）测定AMI发病3h内,4～6h、7～12h时血清中H—FABP浓度,并与心肌肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）、肌酸激酶同工酶（CK—MB）的检测结果进行比较,分析三种心肌损伤标志物在诊断不同发病时间段AMI的敏感性和特异性。结果在AMI发病3h内,H—FABP的诊断敏感性（66．7％）优于cTnI和CK—MB（P〈0．05）;在发病4～6h内,H—FABP的敏感性（94．4％）高于cTnI（61．1％）和CK—MB（50．0％）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论在AMI发病6h内,H—FABP是最敏感的心脏标志物,尤以发病3h内敏感。     

The role of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND:

Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is a membrane-bound protein that facilitates transport of fatty acids from the blood into the heart. It is currently being used outside the United States for the early diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). However, previous studies have shown inconsistent correlation of H-FABP with standard cardiac biomarkers.

METHODS:

Fifty patients admitted with ST segment elevation MI (n=25), non-ST segment elevation MI (n=15) or unstable angina (n=10) were evaluated. The CardioDetect med cardiac infarction test (rennesens GmbH, Germany) was used to measure both qualitative and quantitative H-FABP.

RESULTS:

Of the 40 patients with acute MI, the initial troponin assay was positive in 35 patients (88%), the qualitative H-FABP assay was positive in 23 patients (58%) and the quantitative H-FABP assay was positive in 15 patients (38%) (P=0.001). No patient with MI had a positive H-FABP assay with a negative initial troponin assay.

CONCLUSION:

In the present study, the results of both the qualitative and quantitative H-FABP assays neither appeared earlier nor provided increased sensitivity compared with troponin in diagnosing acute MI. Accordingly, the use of H-FABP as a diagnostic tool for MI is limited.     

Kinetics of plasma microRNA-499 expression in acute myocardial infarction

Background

MicroRNA (miRNA) is reported to be present in human plasma and has been increasingly suggested as a biomarker for diseases. Our study aimed to investigate the kinetics of cardiac-specific microR-499 (miR-499) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

Circulating concentrations of cardiac enriched miR-499 were measured by quantitative PCR in 73 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including 53 with AMI and 20 with unstable angina (UA). Thirty healthy subjects were used as controls. Plasma samples in AMI group were obtained immediately after admission and at 12 h, 24 h, 3 d and 7 d after onset of symptoms. Plasma samples in UA and healthy control groups were collected immediately after admission. The severity and extent of coronary stenotic lesions were evaluated on the basis of coronary angiography using Gensini score.

Results

miR-499 expression levels were significantly higher in the 53 AMI patients than in the 20 UA patients and 30 healthy controls immediately after admission (P<0.01). A measurable increase in miR-499 levels was observed in AMI patients within 24 h of the last onset of chest pain and the levels returned to the baseline after 7 d. Plasma miR-499 levels in the patients with AMI were positively-correlated with cTnI (r=0.384, P<0.01) and CK-MB (r=0.402, P<0.01). In addition, miR-499 levels in AMI patients with two- and three-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) were significantly higher than those in patients with single-vessel CAD (P<0.05). Gensini scores were used to evaluate the severity of coronary stenosis. miR-499 were positively correlated with Gensini scores (r=0.52, P<0.01). miR-499 levels at admission were significantly higher than that those 24 h after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in AMI patients (P<0.01) and were negatively correlated with LVEF (r=0.36, P=0.008).

Conclusions

Cardiac-specific miRNA-499 levels were found to be linearly proportional to myocardial damage. MiRNA-499 might prove to be a new biomarker for AMI and a predictor of the risk of myocardial ischemia.     

心肌脂肪酸结合蛋白对早期急性心肌梗死的诊断

目的研究血浆心肌脂肪酸结合蛋白(HFABP)在早期急性心肌梗死(AMI)诊断中的价值。方法选择93例发病6h内的胸痛患者,其中AMI组32例,非AMI组61例[含不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)24例,稳定型心绞痛(SAP)者22例,非心源性胸痛者15例];正常对照组选择69例正常人。采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫一步法检测正常人和患者发病0～3h或3～6h血浆的HFABP含量,并与心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CKMB)和肌红蛋白(MYO)的检测结果进行比较,分析4种生化标志物诊断发病3h内和6h内AMI的敏感性、特异性和准确性。结果在0～3h、0～6h时间段,HFABP诊断AMI的敏感性(64.29%、84.38%)显著高于cTnI(28.57%、53.13%)和CKMB(21.43%、56.25%),与MYO(71.43%、78.13%)比较差异无统计学意义;在诊断特异性上,4种生化标志物差异无统计学意义;在诊断准确性上,HFABP的ROC曲线下面积(0.979、0.958)显著高于cTnI(0.800、0.878)、CKMB(0.575、0.782)和MYO(0.796、0.882)。结论HFABP对于诊断早期AMI具有较高的敏感性和良好的特异性,其诊断准确性优于cTnI、CKMB、MYO。     

Heart type fatty acid binding protein is more sensitive than troponin I and creatine kinase myocardial band at early stage in determining myocardial injury caused by percutaneous coronary intervention

Measurement of circulating cardiac biomarkers has enabled early diagnosis and risk assessment of acute coronary syndrome. Heart type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) is a relatively novel marker for the diagnosis of myocardial injury. The purpose of the present study was to compare H-FABP with Troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) in determining myocardial injury in patients with early stage of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Blood was withdrawn one hour before and 3 hours after PCI from 40 patients to measure H-FABP, cTnI and CKMB. H-FABP was measured qualitatively. CK-MB and cTnI were measured by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Before PCI, H-FABP was found to be negative, while cTnI and CK-MB were found to be in normal ranges. Statistical analysis of measurements 3 hours after PCI revealed that H-FABP was significantly positive in 15 (37%) patients, while cTnI was elevated in 11 (27%) patients and CKMB was elevated in 8 (20%) patients. H-FABP is statistically more sensitive than cTnI and CK-MB at detecting myocardial injury after PCI.H-FABP can be used in early stages to detect myocardial injury caused by PCI. H-FABP is more sensitive than cTnI and CK-MB in determining myocardial injury due to PCI within 3 hours. H-FABP may help us stratify a patient's risk in early stages after PCI.     

Clinical role of serum Copeptin in acute coronary syndrome

Objective

To assess the role of Copeptin in diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in troponin-blind period.

Infarct Size as Predictor of Systolic Functional Recovery after Myocardial Infarction

Background

The effects of modern therapy on functional recovery after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are unknown.

Objectives

To evaluate the predictors of systolic functional recovery after anterior wall AMI in patients undergoing modern therapy (reperfusion, aggressive platelet antiaggregant therapy, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers).

Methods

A total of 94 consecutive patients with AMI with ST-segment elevation were enrolled. Echocardiograms were performed during the in-hospital phase and after 6 months. Systolic dysfunction was defined as ejection fraction value < 50%.

Results

In the initial echocardiogram, 64% of patients had systolic dysfunction. Patients with ventricular dysfunction had greater infarct size, assessed by the measurement of total and isoenzyme MB creatine kinase enzymes, than patients without dysfunction. Additionally, 24.5% of patients that initially had systolic dysfunction showed recovery within 6 months after AMI. Patients who recovered ventricular function had smaller infarct sizes, but larger values of ejection fraction and E-wave deceleration time than patients without recovery. At the multivariate analysis, it can be observed that infarct size was the only independent predictor of functional recovery after 6 months of AMI when adjusted for age, gender, ejection fraction and E-wave deceleration time.

Conclusion

In spite of aggressive treatment, systolic ventricular dysfunction remains a frequent event after the anterior wall myocardial infarction. Additionally, 25% of patients show functional recovery. Finally, infarct size was the only significant predictor of functional recovery after six months of acute myocardial infarction.     

Human heart-type fatty acid-binding protein for on-site diagnosis of early acute myocardial infarction

Human heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) has a high potential as an early marker for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) being more sensitive than current routine cardiac markers. Seventy-four patients presenting to hospital with a median symptom onset of 2.2 h (IQR 1.5-2.9 h) were enrolled in this study and 54 (73%) had AMI. At presentation, H-FABP gave the highest sensitivity of 83.3% (95% CI: 70.7-92.1) and troponin I (cTnI) gave the highest specificity of 50.0% (95% CI: 27.2-72.8). This study demonstrated that H-FABP immunotest gave a better diagnostic classification at the early stage. Also, AMI was identified significantly earlier by H-FABP than cTnI (17 vs. 6 patients, p<0.05).     

Acetylsalicylic acid use in patients with acute myocardial infarction and peptic ulcer bleeding

BACKGROUND:

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is used in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) but is also a risk factor for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) bleeding.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the factors associated with continued ASA use in patients with AMI who develop PUD bleeding.

METHODS:

AMI patients who developed PUD bleeding during the same hospitalization at two tertiary care hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, between January 1999 and December 2006, were evaluated retrospectively. Multivariate analysis was used to determine predictors of the primary outcome of continued ASA use during PUD bleeding.

RESULTS:

A total of 102 patients were analyzed. Thirty-eight patients (37%) were continued on ASA, while 64 (63%) had ASA discontinued during their hospitalization. On multivariate regression analysis, significant predictors of continued ASA use included low-risk ulcer stigmata on endoscopy (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.4 to 10.2; P=0.01) and AMI requiring coronary intervention (OR 8.2; 95% CI 2.1 to 32.1; P=0.002). The mean (± SD) blood transfusion requirement was 3.9±3.6 units. The 30-day rebleeding and mortality rates were 14% and 14%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The continued use of ASA during AMI and PUD bleeding was variable. However, patients with low-risk ulcers and those who received coronary intervention were more likely to have ASA continued during PUD bleeding. Further studies evaluating the gastrointestinal risk of immediate ASA use in AMI with acute PUD bleeding are required.     

Impact of the troponin standard on the prevalence of acute myocardial infarction

Background

Recent recommendations are that troponin should replace creatine kinase (CK)-MB as the diagnostic standard for myocardial infarction (MI). The impact of this change has not been well described. Our objective was to determine the impact of a troponin standard on the prevalence of acute non-ST-elevation MI.

Methods

The current study was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients without ST-segment elevation admitted for exclusion of myocardial ischemia to an inner city urban tertiary care center. All patients underwent serial marker sampling (CK, CK-MB, and cardiac troponin I [cTnI]). Patients with ST elevation consistent with acute MI (n = 130) or who did not have an 8 hour cTnI (n = 124) were excluded. The impact of 3 different cTnI diagnostic values were examined in 2181 patients: the lower limit of detectability (LLD); an optimal diagnostic value (OPT), chosen using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis; and the manufacturer's suggested upper reference level (URL), when compared to a gold standard CK-MB MI definition. In addition, MI prevalence was assessed using different CK-MB MI definitions and evaluated in patients with ischemic changes only.

Results

The prevalence CK-MB MI was 7.8%. Using the various cTnI diagnostic values, the incidence of MI increased the prevalence by 28% to 195%. Using the optimal diagnostic value for cTnI, patients with cTnI elevations not meeting CK-MB MI criteria had an intermediate 30-day mortality (5.4%) compared to those with CK-MB MI (7.1%). Grouping the cTnI positive, CK-MB MI negative patients with the CK-MB MI patients rather than the non-CK-MB MI patients reduced mortality for both the MI (to 5.9%) and non-MI groups (from 1.9% to 1.6%).

Conclusions

Changing to a troponin standard will have a substantial impact on the number of patients diagnosed with MI. The revised definition for MI will have important clinical and health care implications.     

Systemic response of peripheral blood leukocytes and their phagocytic activity during acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES:

To determine changes in leukocyte counts and phagocytic activity of peripheral blood mononuclear (MN) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells as potential cellular markers of systemic immunological events in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Thirty patients with a first AMI and 30 healthy volunteers were examined. Immunological analyses were performed at admission and repeated at one and seven days after the acute event. MN and PMN cells were obtained from heparinized whole blood after centrifugation and separation on a density gradient, and incubated with a fixed number of heat-inactivated and labelled yeast particles. Total leukocyte counts, leukocyte populations and some parameters of phagocytic activity were determined: percentage phagocytosis, phagocytic index, absolute phagocytic index, count of phagocytes in a fixed volume of peripheral blood (CP) and phagocytic capacity.

RESULTS:

Patients with AMI had increased total leukocyte counts accompanied by increased PMN counts, while there were no significant differences in total MN count and MN populations. Except for the phagocytic index, all phagocytic parameters of MN and PMN cells were increased in patients with AMI at admission and on the first day of disease. On the seventh day after AMI only the CP of MN cells had increased significantly in patients with AMI, while percentage phagocytosis, CP and capacity of phagocytosis of PMN cells increased during the acute phase of AMI.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data suggest that AMI was followed with a strongly systemic inflammatory response to myocardial damage. Furthermore, activated MN and PMN cells may be a significant source of free radicals that may be involved in lipid peroxidation and produce tissue damage in the early postinfarction period.     

心肌型脂肪酸结合蛋白检测在急性心肌梗死早期诊断中的应用

目的:探讨心肌型脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)在急性心肌梗死(AMI)早期诊断中的应用价值.方法:选择110例因急性胸痛住院的患者,按胸痛发作时间到就诊时间先后分为＜3 h、3～6 h和＞6 h三组,检测各组H-FABP、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)、肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)水平变化,比较3种心肌标志物诊断早期AMI的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值,同时比较胸痛发作≤6h时不同心肌标志物联合诊断AMI的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值.结果:入选病例最终确诊为AMI 62例,非AMI 48例(其中不稳定型心绞痛20例,稳定型心绞痛18例,非心源性胸痛10例).＜3 h组H-FABP、CK-MB、cTnI水平诊断AMI的敏感性分别为87.5％、9.1％、45.8％;特异性分别为83.3％、91.6％、91.6％;3～6 h组H-FABP、CK-MB、cTnI水平诊断AMI的敏感性分别为98.1％、54.5％、63.6％;特异性分别为94.4％、88.9％、93.7％;＞6 h组H-FABP、CK-MB、cTnI水平诊断AMI的敏感性分别为81.3％、93.7％、75.0％;特异性分别为83.3％、94.4％、100％;3种检测指标的特异性、阴性预测值、阳性预测值差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);胸痛发作≤6h时H-FABP与cTnI联合检测诊断AMI的敏感性为93.5％、特异性为85.4％,cTnI与CK-MB联合检测诊断AMI的敏感性为74.1％、特异性为87.5％.结论:H-FABP水平检测对于早期诊断AMI有较高的敏感性,优于传统指标CK-MB、cTnI,但特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值与CK-MB、cTnI相当.胸痛发作≤6h时H-FABP与cTnI联合检测可进一步提高AMI早期诊断的敏感度,优于传统的cTnI与CK-MB联合检测.     

Heart fatty acid-binding protein in combination with the 80-lead body surface potential map improves early detection of acute myocardial infarction in patients who are cardiac troponin T-negative at presentation

Of patients who present with ischemic-type chest pain and a negative cardiac troponin T (cTnT) at first medical contact, there are patients at a very early stage of infarction. The aim of this research was to assess heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), a novel marker of myocyte necrosis, in combination with the 80-lead body surface potential map (BSPM) in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

In this prospective study, consecutive patients presenting with acute ischemic-type chest pain between 2003 and 2006 were enrolled. At first medical contact, blood was sampled for cTnT and H-FABP; in addition, a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and BSPM were recorded. A second cTnT was sampled 12 hours or more after presentation. Peak cTnT 0.03 μg/L or higher diagnosed AMI. Elevated H-FABP was 5 ng/mL or higher. A cardiologist blinded to both the clinical details and 12-lead ECG interpreted the BSPM.

Results

Enrolled were 407 patients (age 62 ± 13 years; 70% men). Of these 407, 180 had cTnT less than 0.03 μg/L at presentation. Acute myocardial infarction occurred in 52 (29%) of 180 patients. Of these 180 patients, 27 had ST-segment elevation (STE) on ECG, 104 had STE on BSPM (sensitivity, 88%; specificity, 55%), and 95 (53%) had H-FABP elevation. The proportion with elevated H-FABP was higher in the AMI group compared with non-AMI group (P < .001). Body surface potential map STE was significantly associated with H-FABP elevation (P < .001). Of those with initial cTnT less than 0.03 μg/L, the c-statistic for the receiver operating characteristic curve distinguishing AMI from non-AMI using H-FABP alone was 0.644 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.521-0.771), using BSPM alone was 0.716 (95% CI, 0.638-0.793), and using the combination of BSPM and H-FABP was 0.812 (95% CI, 0.747-0.876; P < .001).

Conclusion

In patients with acute ischemic-type chest pain who have a normal cTnT at presentation, the combination of H-FABP and BSPM at first assessment identifies those with early AMI (c-statistic, 0.812; P < .001), thus allowing earlier triage to reperfusion therapy and secondary prevention.     

Serum Adiponectin and Cardiometabolic Risk in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes

Background

The adipose tissue is considered not only a storable energy source, but mainly an endocrine organ that secretes several cytokines. Adiponectin, a novel protein similar to collagen, has been found to be an adipocyte-specific cytokine and a promising cardiovascular risk marker.

Objectives

To evaluate the association between serum adiponectin levels and the risk for cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), as well as the correlations between adiponectin and metabolic, inflammatory, and myocardial biomarkers.

Methods

We recruited 114 patients with ACS and a mean 1.13-year follow-up to measure clinical outcomes. Clinical characteristics and biomarkers were compared according to adiponectin quartiles. Cox proportional hazard regression models with Firth''s penalization were applied to assess the independent association between adiponectin and the subsequent risk for both primary (composite of cardiovascular death/non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI)/non-fatal stroke) and co-primary outcomes (composite of cardiovascular death/non-fatal AMI/non-fatal stroke/ rehospitalization requiring revascularization).

Results

There were significant direct correlations between adiponectin and age, HDL-cholesterol, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and significant inverse correlations between adiponectin and waist circumference, body weight, body mass index, Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index, triglycerides, and insulin. Adiponectin was associated with higher risk for primary and co-primary outcomes (adjusted HR 1.08 and 1.07/increment of 1000; p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively).

Conclusion

In ACS patients, serum adiponectin was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. In addition to the anthropometric and metabolic correlations, there was a significant direct correlation between adiponectin and BNP.     

Myocardial perfusion assessed by contrast echocardiography correlates with angiographic perfusion parameters in patients with a first acute myocardial infarction successfully treated with angioplasty

BACKGROUND:

Angiographic flow in an epicardial artery does not define perfusion at the microvascular level.

AIM:

To compare myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) with angiographic methods of assessing microvascular reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS:

One hundred consecutive patients with a first ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and single-vessel disease were successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Regional contrast score index (RCSI), corrected Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (cTFC), TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) and myocardial blush grade were evaluated.

RESULTS:

Among 717 asynergic segments on MCE, 168 revealed a lack of perfusion. TMPG and cTFC correlated significantly with RCSI (P=0.031 and P=0.027, respectively). Myocardial blush grade did not correlate with RCSI (P=0.067). Patients with anterior AMI had significantly more segments with a perfusion defect on MCE than patients with inferior AMI (P=0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

MCE results correlate with angiographic methods of perfusion assessment such as TMPG and cTFC. Anterior AMI is associated with a greater extent of perfusion defect. MCE results correlate also with recovery of systolic left ventricular function and clinical outcome at six month follow-up.     

Oral corticosteroid use and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Given the limited efficacy of oral corticosteroids in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the possible cardiac side effects of oral corticosteroids are of particular concern in an elderly population. The impact of the use of oral corticosteroids on the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a cohort of patients with COPD was studied.

METHODS

The Saskatchewan health services databases were used to form a population-based cohort of 5648 patients aged 55 years or older who received a first treatment for COPD between 1990 and 1997. A nested case-control analysis was conducted: 371 cases presenting with a first myocardial infarction were matched with 1864 controls according to the length of follow-up, the date of cohort entry and age. Conditional logistic regression was used to adjust for sex, severity of COPD, systemic hypertension, diabetes and prior cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

Only the current use of corticosteroids was associated with an increased risk of AMI (adjusted RR=2.01 [95% CI 1.13 to 3.58]), particularly when the current dose was larger than 25 mg/day of prednisone or the equivalent (adjusted RR=3.22 [95% CI 1.42 to 7.34]). This observed increase in risk rapidly returned to baseline after the cessation of the medication, suggesting that the use of such high doses reflected the treatment of acute exacerbations of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

An association was found between the current use of oral corticosteroids and the occurrence of an AMI, suggesting that acute exacerbations of COPD are associated with an increased risk of acute coronary syndromes.     

Analysis of progenitor cell mobilization and erythropoietin plasma levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND:

Experimental results from various animal models and preliminary clinical data have indicated the capacity of bone marrow-derived stem cells to home into infarcted heart tissue and promote cardiac repair. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to increase the number of active endothelial progenitor cells in humans.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine if mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34-positive [CD34+], CD117+ or CD133+ cells) into peripheral blood represents a physiological reaction during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and if EPO is involved in the regulation of this process.

METHODS:

Peripheral blood samples taken from 10 patients with AMI, seven patients with angina pectoris (AP) and five patients without coronary artery disease who underwent coronary angiography (controls) were analyzed for the presence of CD34+, CD117+ or CD133+ cells using flow cytometry. In addition, EPO plasma levels were determined by an ELISA. Samples were drawn between days 1 and 3 and days 4 and 8 after ischemic events.

RESULTS:

Increased mean values of CD34+ and CD133+ cells were found in patients with either AMI or AP compared with the control group. Subjects with AMI had augmented cell counts of CD117+ and CD34+ progenitor cells compared with patients with AP. EPO levels were higher in patients with AMI or AP compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS:

AMI in humans appears to serve as a stimulus for CD117+ and CD34+ progenitor cell mobilization. Increased EPO levels may play a role in the regulation of this process.