Serum myeloperoxidase levels and platelet activation parameters as diagnostic and prognostic markers in the course of coronary disease

Early prediction of coronary artery disease complications is vital for the prevention and effective treatment of patients with coronary cardiac disease. It has been reported that inflammatory markers play a key role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Platelet count and platelet morphological parameters were analyzed on a fully-automated hematological analyzer ADVIA 2120 (Siemens). Serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) level was determined with an enzyme immunoassay (BioCheck). The measuring range of this assay is between 0 and 40 ng/ml. We demonstrate that serum MPO concentration and platelet activation increase systematically with the advancement of coronary artery disease. Moreover, MPO level is significantly higher in patients with unstable coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction compared with healthy subjects and patients with stable angina. The diagnostic sensitivity of these parameters was higher than of TnI (cardiac troponin I), CK-MB (creatine kinase-heart type), CRP (C-reactive protein), and fibrinogen and DD (D-dimers). MPO, L-PLT (large platelet), MPV (mean platelet volume), and MPC (mean platelet component concentration) may serve as attractive diagnostic and prognostic markers in the assessment of the risk for unstable atheroma in the course of coronary artery disease.