[Behavior of plasma proteins and nitrogen balance in patients with acute myocardial infarct with and without intravenous amino acid administration].

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to examine the behaviour of nitrogen balance and plasma proteins with or without intravenous supply of amino acids in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

30 consecutive patients who suffered from acute myocardial infarction and who were admitted to our medical intensive care unit were examined in an open, non-randomised study.

SETTING AND INTERVENTIONS

The first 10 patients (group I) received 10% Intrafusin 10 ml/kg BW/24 h as a continuous intravenous infusion over a period of 96 h. Patients No. 11-20 (group II) received Aminosteril 10% 10 ml/kg BW/24 h also over a 96-hour period. Patients No. 21-30 (group III) were given intravenous infusions of Jonosteril 10 ml/kg BW/24 h for 96 h.

RESULTS

The nitrogen balance demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in all groups (group I, 9.1 to 6.1 g/day; group II, 9.8 to 4.8 g/day; group III, 1.3 to -1.1 g/day); however, in groups I and II the nitrogen balance remained positive. The concentrations of total protein, transferrin, retinol-binding protein and pre-albumin decreased significantly. This decrease, however, was significantly less in patients given amino acid infusions.

CONCLUSIONS

Infusion of amino acids in acute myocardial infarction results in a positive nitrogen balance and reduces the decrease in plasma protein concentrations. Further studies are required to judge the positive nutritive effect of amino acid infusions on the outcome of myocardial infarction.