To establish the clinical significance of the antibody against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (anti-Ox-LDL) titer in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we measured the anti-Ox-LDL titer in 39 patients with AMI and 25 controls. In all AMI patients, the anti-Ox-LDL titer on admission was higher (p < 0.05) than the value in the controls. One month after admission, the titer decreased significantly (p < 0.001) reaching control levels. In patients who underwent thrombolytic therapy, the anti-Ox-LDL titer on admission was identical in patients with occluded infarct-related arteries (IRA) and patients with patent IRA during emergency coronary angiography. In patients who did not undergo thrombolytic therapy, the anti-Ox-LDL titer on admission was higher in patients with occluded IRA than in patients with patent IRA. An increased anti-Ox-LDL titer may be a risk factor for the onset of AMI. Spontaneous recanalization of the IRA may be associated with increased anti-Ox-LDL titers, while thrombolysis-induced recanalization may be independent of it.
Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel