Some minerals and trace elements in acute myocardial infarction

ABSTRACT

The serum level of magnesium, zinc, copper, sodium and potassium was studied in forty patients with acute myocardial infarction. Serum for detection of these minerals and trace elements was obtained on the first day of hospital admission and after seven days. Significant hypomag-nesaemia was detected in patients with ventricular arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock and pulmonary oedema. Some patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarction showed hypomagnesaemia. A significantly subnormal zinc concentration was observed, but the lowest values, being observed in patients with serious complications. The serum copper level was elevated, but the elevation was not statistically significant. Ventricular ectopic beats and ventricular tachycardia were seen more frequently in hypokalaemic patients