Original papers Indexes of inflammation and other secondary risk factors in the progression of coronary artery disease

Summary Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine quantitative changes of neopterin (N), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), total homocysteine (H), pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P) and phospholipids (PL) concentrations in blood serum of patients with different degree of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as to evaluate the observed changes to prognosticate the course of CAD. Design and Methods: 30 healthy individuals and 84 patients with CAD verified by coronary angiography were examined in this study. Patients with diabetes and/or renal complications as well as patients who received statins in their treatment were excluded. In total, 43 patients with 1-artery disease, 24 patients with 2- or 3artery disease, and 17 patients with restenosis have been included. Indexes of inflammation (N, hsCRP) and H were measured by commercial available immunoassay according to manufacturer’s instructions while manual chemical methods were used for P-5-P and PL determination. Results: We have observed statistically significant increase of N, hsCRP and H concentrations in the patients with CAD while P-5-P and PL concentrations were lowered. Conclusions: The analysis and evaluation of the results allow us to conclude that the changes of indexes observed in this study are significant in prognosticating the course of CAD. The increase of serum H concentrations in the patients with restenosis and positive correlation between N and H (r = 0.484; p < 0.05) as well as the presumption that this correlation predicts adverse events of restenosis, points to a call for further investigation to reveal this question. Seminars in Cardiology 2004; 10(3): 140–145