Serum copper in myocardial infarction--diagnostic and prognostic significance.

Serum copper estimations were carried out in 44 cases of acute myocardial infarction, 23 cases of angina and 40 age and sex matched healthy controls. A highly significant degree of rise in serum copper levels was observed in patients with acute myocardial infarction as compared to cases of angina and controls. The levels showed a gradual rise with peak on 7th day followed by a gradual decline returning to normal on 28th day. The pattern was the same both in complicated and uncomplicated cases except that values were still higher on the 28th day in complicated cases of acute myocardial infarction. Mean peak serum copper levels were significantly higher (p less than .001) in complicated cases of acute myocardial infarction as compared to uncomplicated cases. Significant correlation was found between serial serum copper changes and creatinine phosphokinase and lactic dehydrogenase levels. The prognostic and diagnostic significance of serum copper has been discussed.