[Diagnostic and prognostic significance of homocysteine determined in acute phase of myocardial infarction].

THE AIM

Of this study was to assess the serum homocysteine concentration in subjects with acute myocardial infarction and its correlation with the course of infarction and further prognosis considering particularly left ventricle dysfunction, heart rate and conduction disorders as well as to assess the usefulness of metionin load test as a prognostic test in patients with myocardial infarction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

66 patients were studied: 36 with recent myocardial infarction and 30 healthy individuals as a control group. Fasting serum homocysteine and its concentration two hours after metionin load were determined in all patients. They all underwent echocardiographic examination, stress test and 24-hour Holter monitoring. The study revealed a significant positive correlation between increased serum homocysteine concentration in patients with myocardial infarction and worsening of contractility parameters, extent of infarction area, and negative correlation between homocysteine concentration and ejection fraction.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the study outcome we can make a statement that increased homocysteine concentration in patients with acute phase of myocardial infarction indicates its more severe course, more extensive disorders of myocardium kinetics, more significant left ventricle diastolic and systolic dysfunction. Increased serum homocysteine in metionin load test indicates higher death risk in patients with myocardial infarction.