Abstract

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this study, we investigated the relationships between early phase complications of AMI and C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen levels and white blood cell count (WBC). 244 cases with AMI applying within 24 hours after onset of chest pain were included in this study. CRP, fibrinogen and WBS were measured in venous blood samples in patients on admission and after 24 hours. There were significant increases in the values of CRP, WBC and fibrinogen on admission in complicated cases (n=82) when compared to uncomplicated cases (n=162) (p<0.05). In subgroup analyses, CRP and WBC were high in cases with heart failure and death (p<0.05). In multivariate regression analysis, it was observed that localisation of infarction, age, gender and CRP were effective on severe heart failure. Additionally, localisation, CRP and WBC were found effective on death.

Conclusion: Acute phase reactants increase in AMI. The high values of CRP and WBC measured on admission is particularly related to the increased frequencies of severe heart failure and death. We conclude that the increased systemic markers of inflammation such as CRP, WBC and fibrinogen might be helpful to predict severe complications occuring in early phase.