study of trace metals in acute myocardial infarction

The study was carried out on 15 patients with acute myocardial infarction and another 15 healthy volunteers of matched age and sex as control subjects. All the studied cases were subjected to detailed history taking and clinical examination. Electrocardiogram, serum transaminases, lactic acid dehydrogenase were done, serum zinc and nickel were estimated on the second, sixth and tenth day after the onset of infarction. The results of the study showed significant decrease in serum zinc level within two days of the onset of infarction and gradual return to normal level within ten days. Hyperkalemia was also observed at the onset of infarction. The cause and significance of these results are tabulated and discussed