Molecular markers relevant to myocardial injury following dental extraction in patients with or without coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to characterize biological changes following dental extractions in patients with or without coronary artery disease (CAD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-five patients (36 males and 9 females) referred for dental extraction underwent treatment and provided blood samples before, immediately after, and 24 h after the procedure. A broad array of biomarkers was employed to assess myocardial injury (highly sensitive troponin T, hs-TnT), bacterial burden (LPS endotoxin activity), and systemic inflammation (CRP, fibrinogen, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α).

RESULTS

Dental extraction in patients with or without CAD was associated with rises in hs-TnT ( = 0.013), hs-CRP ( < 0.001), fibrinogen ( = 0.005), endotoxin activity ( < 0.001), IFN-γ ( < 0.001), IL-6 ( < 0.001), IL-8 ( = 0.011), and IL-12 ( < 0.001) at 24 h compared with immediately post procedure. Changes in systemic inflammation and endotoxin activity were more evident in those with hs-TnT rise.

CONCLUSIONS

Simple dental extractions may cause mild increase in hs-TnT, indicating minor myocardial injury in both patients with or without CAD. Acute systemic inflammation and endotoxemia could represent a possible link between invasive dental treatment and increased risk of acute cardiovascular events. These findings indicate that invasive dental treatment (as simple as a single dental extraction) may impact negatively on clinical outcomes in dental patients, especially those with CAD.