RESUMO
30 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy [IDC], 25 males and 5 females aged 55 +/- 3 years were investigated consequently between January 1993 and October 1994. The positive control group consisted of 15 patients with invasively diagnosed 2 or 3 vessel coronary artery disease who had a comparable degree of concomitant heart failure [i.e. ischemic cardiomyopathy]. 15, age and sex matched healthy donors and 14 patients with coronary artery disease and normal left ventricular function composed the negative control group. T-cell markers [IL2 and CD4] and renal function tests were measured with B2-microglobulin. It was concluded that, B2 microglobulin level in IDC resulted from its enhanced synthesis by T-lymphocytes as well as from its diminished clearance through kidneys. Thus, B2 microglobulin may serve as useful marker of disease activity, reflecting different aspects in the multi factorial pathogenesis of IDC