Evaluation of C-reactive protein and other inflammatory markers on acute coronary syndromes

The aim of the study is to evaluate the role of C-reactive protein [CRP], ESR, total WBC and fibrinogen in acute myocardial infarction [AMI] and in unstable angina [UA], the two very common manifestations of acute coronary syndromes [ACS]. Subjects and The present study included 100 ACS patients with age ranging from 42-60 years [mean 53 +/- 6 years], of which 35 were presented with UA a n d 65 with AMI. The study also included 25 normal subjects, age and sex matched as controls. CRP levels were elevated in both A M I [40.8 +/- 15.4mg/l] as well as in UA [32.9 +/- 17.7mg/l] patients when compared to that of the normal c o n t rols [12.6 +/- 2.8mg/l]. But the value of fibrinogen was found to be elevated significantly only in AMI patients [381.9 +/- 32.1mg%]. Other markers such as WBC and ESR were found to be elevated in both AMI and UA patients. Elevation of CRP levels can be used as adjuncts in the diagnosis of ACS

Serum free iron as a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction

Elevated serum iron levels have been proposed as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. The study is aimed at investigating the role of serum iron in the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction [AMI]. The study was performed in 100 Acute Myocardial Infarction [AMI] patients sub-grouped as smokers, hypertensives arid diabetics. Twenty-five normal healthy subjects were included in the study as controls. Both the patients arid the control subjects were evaluated using clinical history, dietary history and biochemical examinations. Serum malondialdehyde [MDA], which is a measure of the extent of lipid peroxidation, serum iron arid total iron binding capacity [TIBC], were determined by standard methods. We found elevated serum iron in all the three risk groups with acute myocardial infarction and among the groups, the smokers were found to have higher values compared to the other two groups. Hence, it may be used as a marker for the diagnosis of AMI. However, the TIBC values were not altered in any of the three risk groups with AMI. The lipid peroxidation, measured as the endogenous MDA levels were found to be more in smokers when compared to the other two risk groups with AMI