ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Microalbuminuria is a well accepted marker for micro and macrovascular damage in patients with diabetes mellitus. There is growing evidence that microalbuminuria is an important risk indicator for development of ischemic heart disease. This study was conducted to establish a relationship between microalbuminuria and ischemic heart disease in non-diabetic subjects. Methodology: Fifty randomly selected non-diabetic patients with ischemic heart disease who fulfilled the criteria for the study were evaluated for traditional risk factors and microalbuminuria. Results: Microalbuminuria was detected in 36 (72%) patients with Ischemic Heart Disease (p<0.05). 77% patients with infarct pattern on ECG and 22% patients with ischemia pattern on ECG had microalbuminuria. Majority of patients had microalbuminuria levels between 30-100 mg/day (41% males and 64% females). 72.72% of female patients had microalbuminuria (MA) compared to 71.79% of the male patients. 71.79% of hypertensive patients had microalbuminuria compared to 72.72% of normotensive patients. 79.17% of smokers with microalbuminuria presented with myocardial infarction compared to 62.5% of non-smokers with microalbuminuria. MA level is also associated with ECG (LVH, QTc prolongation) and 2D ECHO findings. Conclusion: Our patients with ischemic heart disease had a significantly positive association with microalbuminuria. Hence, microalbuminuria can be regarded as an additional risk factor for ischemic heart disease.