Trace elements in prognosis of myocardial infarction and sudden coronary death

Abstract

Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, and Zn concentrates were measured in plasma, RBC, and hair of 350 men aged 40–59 years with miocardial infarction (MI) and/or who died from sudden cardiac death (SCD), as compared with normal controls. Analyses were done by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Cu in plasma of MI patients was significantly higher than the controls'. Plasma Mn was significantly lower in SCD than in MI subjects. No other consistent and significant changes were observed. Past and present evidence indicates that high plasma Cu levels may be associated with heart failure and rhythm disorders. The low plasma Mn levels may be an indicator of decreased parasympathetic tonus thus favouring myocardial desynchronization and A-V block. Cu inhibits phosphodiesterase activity and Mn inhibits andenylate cyclase activity thus exerting an influence on the contractility of cardiomyocites and of smooth muscle cells in coronary arteries. Cu and Mn analyses may thus have a prognostic significance for MI and SCD. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.