Anti-heart antibodies in patients with chronic cor pulmonale.

In patients with chronic cor pulmonale caused by pulmonary emphysema, circulating autoantibodies against the heart tissue were investigated by the HA and HI techniques using the myocardium as antigen. Quantitative analysis of serum IgG, IgA and IgM were carried out by use of the radial immunodiffusion method. These results were compared with clinical findings, especially cardiopulmonary hemodynamics and pulmonary function tests and with the prognosis. Circulating anti-heart antibodies were found in 15 of 29 (51.7 per cent) patients with chronic cor pulmonale. The titers of circulating anti-heart antibodies indicated a good correlation with pulmonary hypertension, hypoxia and respiratory impairment. Furthermore, a good correlation was noted between anti-heart antibody titers and the serum IgG level. Five of 15 (33.3 per cent) patients with positive results for anti-heart antibodies died, while one of 13 (7.7 per cent) with negative results died. In this investigation, circulating anti-lung antibodies were also searched in sera from patients with chronic cor pulmonale, but they showed no cross reaction with anti-heart antibodies, of which the specificity was found in the patients. These data could be utilized in evaluation and discussion of the pathophysiological findings of the patients with chronic cor pulmonale.