ABSTRACT
Tissue plasminogen activator [t-PA] has been shown to be a promising agent in the treatment of coronary artery thrombosis associated with acute myocardial infarction [AMI]. A rapid inhibitor of t-PA has also been identified in human plasma, and plasma level of this inhibitor have been reported to be increased in patients with coronary artery disease [CAD]. Plasma level of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-I and C-Peptide were measured in 50 patients with myocardial infarction [MI] [12 patients with acute MI and 38 patients with old MI], 38 patients were males and 12 patients were females, their age ranged between 48 and 60 years [mean 55]. Coronary angiography was done in all patients to determine the severity of their coronary artery disease [CAD]. The patients were divided into single vessel disease 23 patients [46%] or multivessel disease 27 patients [54%]. According to the number of vessels involved and the results of plasma level of PAI-1 and C-Peptide correlated with the severity of CAD. Plasma level of PAI-1 and C-Peptide in patients with CAD were significantly higher than in 20 control subjects. High significant correlation was found between levels of PAI-I and C-Peptide and the severity of CAD. This study confirmed the significant correlation between plasma level of mean PAI-1 and C-Peptide and the severity of coronary artery disease documented by coronary angiography