Abstract
Plasma anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) was measured in 83 patients having coronary artery bypass graft surgery and results were correlated with the incidence of early (1-2 weeks) and late (12 months) graft occlusion, as judged by angiography. There was an association between preoperative ACA level and the incidence of late graft occlusion in relation to both number of patients with an occlusion and number of distal anastomoses occluded. 8 of 15 patients (53.3%) whose maximum ACA level exceeded 4 SD of the mean of controls had a late graft occlusion. When the ACA titre was 2-4, 0-2, or less than 0 SD above the mean of the controls, the occlusion rates were 3 of 13 (23.1%), 3 of 33 (9.1%), and 1 of 15 (6.7%), respectively (p < 0.03). The incidence of a postoperative rise in ACA level was higher in patients who had had a myocardial infarction in the past than in those with a history of angina only (χ 2 = 4.08, p < 0.05). This observation supports the notion that one mechanism of ACA production is an immune response to myocardial injury. These results raise the further possibility that the ACA, or related antiphospholipid antibodies, may play a part in progressive coronary vessel disease.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.