Changes In Acute Myocardial Infarction Research Articles

Dynamic molecular signatures of acute myocardial infarction based on transcriptomics and metabolomics

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) commonly precedes ventricular remodeling, heart failure. Few dynamic molecular signatures have gained widespread acceptance in mainstream clinical testing despite the discovery of many potential candidates. These unmet needs with respect to biomarker and drug discovery of AMI necessitate a prioritization. We enrolled patients with AMI aged between 30 and 70. RNA-seq analysis was performed on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from the patients at three time points: 1 day, 7 days, and 3 months after AMI. PLC/LC–MS analysis was conducted on the peripheral blood plasma collected from these patients at the same three time points. Differential genes and metabolites between groups were screened by bio-informatics methods to understand the dynamic changes of AMI in different periods. We obtained 15 transcriptional and 95 metabolite expression profiles at three time points after AMI through high-throughput sequencing. AMI-1d: enrichment analysis revealed the biological features of 1 day after AMI primarily included acute inflammatory response, elevated glycerophospholipid metabolism, and decreased protein synthesis capacity. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) might stand promising biomarkers to differentiate post-AMI stage. Anti-inflammatory therapy during the acute phase is an important direction for preventing related pathology. AMI-7d: the biological features of this stage primarily involved the initiation of cardiac fibrosis response and activation of platelet adhesion pathways. Accompanied by upregulated TGF-beta signaling pathway and ECM receptor interaction, GP5 help assess platelet activation, a potential therapeutic target to improve haemostasis. AMI-3m: the biological features of 3 months after AMI primarily showed a vascular regeneration response with VEGF signaling pathway, NOS3 and SHC2 widely activated, which holds promise for providing new therapeutic approaches for AMI. Our analysis highlights transcriptional and metabolomics signatures at different time points after MI, which deepens our understanding of the dynamic biological responses and associated molecular mechanisms that occur during cardiac repair.

Expression and clinical significance of circRNA cSMARCA5 in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objective: To investigate the expression level and clinical significance of cSMARCA5 in the patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: This study was a case-control study. A total of 100 patients with AMI and 100 patients without coronary heart disease who received treatment in the Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital from September to December 2021 were included in the study according to the principle of 1∶1 frequency matching. The expression levels of cSMARCA5 in the peripheral blood of AMI patients and control groups were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the diagnostic ability of cSMARCA5 for AMI. Spearman or Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between cSMARCA5 and the degree of myocardial necrosis, coronary lesion severity and GRACE risk stratification score. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the possible mechanism of cSMARCA5 in pathological changes of AMI. Results: The age [M (Q1,Q3)] of AMI patients and control group was 63.0 (56.0, 71.5) and 63.0 (53.0, 75.5) (P=0.622), and the proportion of males was 75.0% (75 cases) and 46.0% (46 cases) (P<0.001), respectively. The expression level [M (Q1,Q3)] of cSMARCA5 was significantly lower in AMI patients compared with the control group [0.37 (0.22, 0.73) vs 1.03(0.71, 1.75), P<0.001]. ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve of cSMARCA5 in diagnosing AMI was 0.83 (95%CI: 0.77-0.89, P<0.001), with a sensitivity of 89.0% and specificity of 67.7%. cSMARCA5 was negatively correlated with creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (r=-0.203, P=0.041), troponin T (r=-0.230, P=0.023) and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide precursor (r=-0.250, P=0.012), and positively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r=0.201, P=0.042). In addition, the expression level of cSMARCA5 was negatively correlated with SYNTAX score (r=-0.196, P=0.048) and GRACE risk score (r=-0.321, P=0.001). Bioinformatic analysis suggested that cSMARCA5 might be involved in the process of AMI through regulating the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor. Conclusions: The expression of cSMARCA5 is significantly decreased in peripheral blood of AMI patients compared with control group, and its expression level is negatively correlated with the severity of myocardial infarction. cSMARCA5 is expected to be a potential biomarker of AMI.

Early Changes in Acute Myocardial Infarction in Pigs: Achieving Early Detection with Wearable Devices

We examined the changes in variables that could be recorded on wearable devices during the early stages of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in an animal model. Early diagnosis of AMI is important for prognosis; however, delayed diagnosis is common because of patient hesitation and lack of timely evaluations. Wearable devices are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the ability to track indicators. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the changes in four variables during AMI in a pig model to assess their ability to help predict AMI onset. AMI was created in 33 pigs by 90-min balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. Blood pressure, EKG, and lactate and cardiac troponin I levels were recorded during the occlusion period. Blood pressure declined significantly within 15 min after balloon inflation (mean arterial pressure, from 61 ± 8 to 50 ± 8 mmHg) and remained at this low level. Within 5 min of balloon inflation, the EKG showed ST-elevation in precordial leads V1-V3. Blood lactate levels increased gradually after occlusion and peaked at 60 min (from 1.48 to 2.53 mmol/L). The continuous transdermal troponin sensor demonstrated a gradual increase in troponin levels over time. Our data suggest that significant changes in key indicators (blood pressure, EKG leads V1-V3, and lactate and troponin levels) occurred at the onset of AMI. Monitoring of these variables could be used to develop an algorithm and alert patients early at the onset of AMI with the help of a wearable device.

Electromechanical Association as a Stemi Mimicry - Case Report

Abstract Electromechanical association is a very unique physiological type of ECG artifact caused by the radial artery pulse tapping. ECG presentation of this artifact may imitate primary repolarization changes characteristic for acute coronary syndrome or electrolyte abnormalities. The peculiarity of electromechanical association is the synchronization with regular cardiac cycles, making a diagnostic challenge even for experience physicians. The present case is a rare example of an ECG artifact localized in a specific pattern mimics ECG changes of acute myocardial infarction with ST elevation (STEMI), including reciprocal ST depression. Moreover, serial prehospital ECGs verify evolution from hyperacute T waves to true ST elevation, as we seen in acute myocardial infarction. The key for artefact recognition was the knowledge about ECG leads derivation and identification the affected electrode. Electromechanical association frequency is unknown: it may be common, but often unrecognized finding. So far, electromechanical association in serial ECGs wasn’t reported, as per our knowledge.

Changes in Acute Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Heart Failure Hospitalizations During COVID-19 Pandemic in Tuscany-An Interrupted Time Series Study.

Objectives: We evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on unplanned hospitalization rates for patients without COVID-19, including their length of stay, and in-hospital mortality, overall, and for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, and heart failure in the Tuscany region of Italy. Methods: We carried out a population-based controlled interrupted time series study using segmented linear regression with an autoregressive error term based on admissions data from all public hospitals in Tuscany. The primary outcome measure was weekly hospitalization rates; secondary outcomes included length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. Results: The implementation of the pandemic-related mitigation measures and fear of infection was associated with large decreases in inpatient hospitalization rates overall (−182 [−234, −130]), unplanned hospitalization (−39 [−51, −26]), and for AMI (−1.32 [−1.98, −0.66]), stroke (−1.51 [−2.56, −0.44]), and heart failure (−8.7 [−11.1, −6.3]). Average length of stay and percent in-hospital mortality for select acute medical conditions did not change significantly. Conclusion: In Tuscany, Italy, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with large reductions in hospitalization rates overall, as well as for heart failure, and the time sensitive conditions of AMI and stroke during the months January to July 2020.

Peripheral Blood RNAs and Left Ventricular Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction: Towards Translation into Clinical Practice.

The treatment and early outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) have dramatically improved the past decades, but the incidence of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction post-MI remains high. Peripheral blood RNAs reflect pathophysiological changes during acute MI and the inflammatory process. Therefore, these RNAs are promising new markers to molecularly phenotype patients and improve the early identification of patientsat risk of subsequent LV dysfunction. We here discuss the coding and long non-coding RNAs that can be measured in peripheral blood of patients with acute MI and list the advantages and limitations for implementation in clinical practice. Although some studies provide preliminary evidence of their diagnostic and prognostic potential, the use of these makers has not yet been implemented in clinical practice. The added valueofRNAstoimprove treatment and outcome remains to be determined in larger clinical studies.International consortia are nowcatalyzing renewed efforts to investigate novel RNAs that may improve post-MI outcome in a precision-medicine approach. Graphical Abstract Peripheral blood RNAs reflect the inflammatory changes in acute MI. A number of studies provide preliminary evidence of their prognostic potential, although the use of these makers has not yet been assessed in clinical practice.

Haemodynamic simulation and the effect of early left ventricular unloading in pre-shock acute coronary syndrome.

AimsUnderstanding the pathophysiological background on haemodynamic changes in acute myocardial infarction and during its interventional treatment is important to adequately use mechanical circulatory support.Methods and resultsWe describe haemodynamic simulations based on a real case scenario of infarct‐related ischaemia with beginning haemodynamic compromise illustrating the advantage of active haemodynamic support. The patient case used for computer simulation is that of an acute coronary syndrome, slightly hypotonic. The right coronary artery is chronically occluded, and both left main and a saphenous vein graft to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) show subtotal stenosis. In this scenario used for computer modelling of haemodynamics, we illustrate how unprotected percutaneous coronary intervention would limit coronary blood flow and constantly reduce myocardial contractility until cardiac arrest occurs. The simulation demonstrates how an intra‐aortic balloon pump would delay but not prevent that compromise and how an Impella microaxial pump will actively support cardiac output and stabilize haemodynamics even when prolonged balloon inflations are performed, which will temporarily stop coronary perfusion.ConclusionsThe simulation illustrates how temporary circulatory support with an Impella microaxial pump can stabilize haemodynamics and allow for a safe procedure in an unstable patient. Using computer simulation of haemodynamics to understand changes in haemodynamics when performing interventions in unstable patients might help to properly select a suitable support device if needed.

Cardioprotective effect of erythropoietin in rats with acute myocardial infarction through JNK pathway.

To explore the molecular mechanism of the cardioprotective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) in the rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) via the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. The rat AMI models were constructed and randomly divided into the EPO group, AMI group, and Sham group. At 2 weeks after successful modeling, the cardiac function-related indicators of rats were determined, and after the rats were sacrificed, the left ventricular weight (LVW) index was measured. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were employed to determine the levels of the related serum inflammatory factors and myocardial apoptosis, respectively. The apoptosis and the expression levels of the JNK pathway-related messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNA) and proteins in the myocardial tissues of all groups of rats were determined via Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. After intervention with EPO, the EPO group had a substantially lower left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, but a remarkably higher left ventricular systolic pressure than the AMI group (p<0.05), and the LVW and LVW/body weight (BW) notably declined in the EPO group compared with those in AMI group (p<0.05). According to the ELISA results, the inflammatory factors were substantially raised in the AMI group compared with those in the other two groups (p<0.05) and significantly lowered after treatment with EPO (p<0.05). The TUNEL assay results revealed that EPO treatment could reverse the pathological changes in AMI to decrease the apoptosis to a large extent. It was detected via RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry that, compared with those in the Sham group, the expression level of the anti-apoptosis gene B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was substantially decreased, but the expression levels of pro-apoptosis gene Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and the JNK pathway-related JNK and c-Jun were evidently elevated in the AMI group (p<0.05). Moreover, the expression level of Bcl-2 was remarkably raised (p<0.05) and the expression levels of Bax, JNK, and c-Jun remarkably declined (p<0.05) in the EPO group after intervention with EPO. EPO can inhibit the inflammatory responses and decrease the myocardial apoptosis to protect the heart of the AMI rats, and its mechanism of action is related to the inhibition of the expression of the JNK pathway.

Postmortem Specificity of Troponin for Acute Miocard Infarction Diagnosis throug Qualitative Dosing from Pericardial Fluid

Cardiac disease is the leading cause of death, and sudden cardiac death occupies the first place in sudden deaths of natural causes. Sudden cardiac death due to lethal arrhythmia may be the first manifestation of a cardiac disease, such cases becoming suspect dead, thus forensic cases. The autopsy performed in such cases may reveal important cardiovascular disease but not obvious macroscopic or histological changes of acute myocardial infarction (IMA), except for cases of survival for several hours after the onset of the symptomatology. Biochemical markers were used to test for myocardial lesions in the absence of morphological changes. Methods for determining myoglobin, CK-MB, troponin T (cTn T), troponin I (cTn I) were introduced to the clinic to diagnose the condition of patients with chest pain as early as the 1990s. The lack of pathognomonic elements in corps investigations, where part of the analysis cannot be carried out, requires verification of the value of the investigations that can be carried out, with reference to the biochemical in the present case, in establishing the diagnosis with certainty.

Monocytes of Different Subsets in Complexes with Platelets in Patients with Myocardial Infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with activation of various cells, including platelets that form monocyte-platelet complexes (MPCs). Here, we analysed MPC in vivo and in vitro and investigated the abilities of different monocyte subclasses to form MPC, the characteristics of the cells involved in MPC formation and MPC changes in AMI. We identified MPC by co-staining for platelet antigen CD41a and monocyte antigens CD14 and CD16. Platelet activation was evaluated from expression of phosphatidylserine as revealed by annexin V. Our results confirm published data and provide new information regarding the patterns of MPC in AMI patients. We found that the patterns of platelet aggregation with monocytes were different in AMI patients and controls: (1) in AMI patients, MPC formed by intermediate monocytes carry more platelets whereas in healthy controls more platelets aggregated with classical monocytes; (2) the numbers of MPC in AMI patients, being already higher than in controls, were further increased if these patients suffered various in-hospital complications; (3) on the basis of the CD41a fluorescence of the antibody-stained MPC, some of the aggregates seem to consist of monocytes and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs); (4) aggregation of monocytes with platelet EV occurred in in vitro experiments; and (5) these experiments demonstrated that monocytes from AMI patients aggregate with both platelets and platelet EVs more efficiently than do monocytes from controls. MPC in AMI patients may play an important role in this pathology.

CHANGES IN HOSPITAL PERFORMANCE AND TRANSITION-CARE MEASURES 1-YEAR AFTER INITIATION OF THE PATIENT NAVIGATOR PROGRAM

Despite high rates of early readmission in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF), little data exists regarding the impact of best practices on hospital-based transition-care measures. This project sought to evaluate early changes in AMI and HF program performance

Effects of smoke-free air law on acute myocardial infarction hospitalization in Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana

BackgroundA comprehensive smoke-free air law was enacted on June 1, 2012 in most of Marion County, Indiana, including all of the City of Indianapolis. We evaluated changes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) admission rates in Indianapolis and Marion County before compared to after the law.MethodsWe collected AMI admissions from five Marion County hospitals between May 2007 and December 2014. We used Poisson regression to evaluate the overall effects of the law on monthly AMI hospitalizations, adjusting for month, seasonality, meteorology, air pollution, and hospital utilization. We tested the interactions between the law and AMI risk factors on monthly AMI admission rates to identify subpopulations for which the effects might be stronger.ResultsMonthly AMI admissions declined 20% (95% CI 14–25%) in Marion County and 25% (95% CI 20–29%) in Indianapolis after the law was implemented. We observed decreases among never (21%, 95% CI 13–29%), former (28%, 95% CI 21–34%), and current smokers (26%, 95% CI 11–38%); Medicaid beneficiaries (19%, 95% CI 9–29%) and non-beneficiaries (26%, 95% CI 20–31%). We observed decreases among those with a history of diabetes (Yes: 22%, 95% CI 14–29%; No: 25%, 95% CI 18–31%), congestive heart failure (Yes: 23%, 95% CI 16–30%; No: 24%, 95% CI 17–31%), and hypertension (Yes: 23%, 95% CI 17–28%: No: 26%, 95% CI 15–36%).ConclusionsWe observed decreases in AMI admissions comparable with previous studies. We identified subpopulations who benefitted from the law, such as former and current smokers, and those without comorbidities such as congestive heart failure and hypertension.

Electrolyte Level Changes in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients as Compared to Healthy Individuals in Khan Younis Governorate, Gaza Strip

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. Serum electrolytes changes in AMI have not been studied in Khan Younis Governorate-Palestine. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate any changes in the serum electrolytes with special attention to serum sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride in cases of AMI. Aim: To determine the pattern of changes of serum electrolytes AMI patients and then compare with non AMI (i.e. healthy persons). Materials and Method: The study consisted of a hundred people divided equally into study group and control group. Samples were taken from the Central Heart Unit in Nasser Hospital - Khan Younis. The study group comprised cases of confirmed diagnosis of recent onset of AMI. Clinical data was collected using interviewing questionnaires. The first paragraph of the questionnaire was for personal data which included age, sex and education level. The blood samples of both groups were automatically analyzed for serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca+ and Mg+) where the latter was analyzed manually. The cases were taken from AMI patients within 48 hours of admission. Results: The mean of age of controls was 47.18±64 while that of cases was 56.34±12.84. Significant low level of calcium was found in AMI patients while the level observed for magnesium was high. The levels of potassium and magnesium in AMI patients with hypertension was observed to be low with p-value < 0.05. Moreover, potassium levels were also low in AMI patients with diabetes with p-value <0.05. The changesin electrolytes werenot statistically significant in association with smoking. Conclusion: The decrease in sodium level was observed only in patients with AMI compared with healthy persons.

Agreement between cardiologists and fellows in interpretation of ischemic electrocardiographic changes in acute myocardial infarction

BackgroundTime from symptom onset may not be the best indicator for choosing reperfusion therapy for patients presenting with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); consequently ECG-based methods have been developed. MethodsThis study evaluated the inter-observer agreement between experienced cardiologists and junior doctors in identifying the ECG findings of the pre-infarction syndrome (PIS) and evolving myocardial infarction (EMI). The ECGs of 353 STEMI patients were independently analyzed by two cardiologists, one fellow in cardiology, one fellow in internal medicine and a medical student. The last two were given a half-hour introduction of the PIS/EMI-algorithm. ResultsThe inter-observer reliability between all the investigators was found to be good according to kappa statistics (κ 0.632–0.790) for the whole study population. When divided into different subgroups, the inter-observer agreements were from good to very good between the cardiologists and the fellow in cardiology (κ 0.652 –0.813) and from moderate to good (κ 0.464–0.784) between the fellow in internal medicine, medical student and the others. ConclusionsThe PIS and EMI ECG patterns are reliably identified by experienced cardiologists and can be easily adopted by junior doctors.

Lead aVL on electrocardiogram: emerging as important lead in early diagnosis of myocardial infarction?

Although a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) that mandates emergency reperfusion therapy requires ST-segment elevation greater than 1 mm in at least 2 contiguous leads, some of the early electrocardiogram (ECG) changes of AMI can be subtle. Any ST-segment depression or T-wave inversion in lead aVL may be implicated in left anterior descending artery lesion or early reciprocal changes of inferior wall myocardial infarction, particularly when the clinical context suggests ischemia. Early recognition of reciprocal changes and serial ECG help initiate early appropriate intervention. Heightened awareness of ST segment and T-wave changes in lead aVL is of paramount importance to quickly identifying life-threatening condition.

Left ventricular infiltration from thyroid papillary carcinoma mimicking the electrocardiographic changes of acute myocardial infarction

Left ventricular infiltration from thyroid papillary carcinoma mimicking the electrocardiographic changes of acute myocardial infarction

Study of serum sodium and potassium in acute myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. Serum electrolytes changes in AMI have not been studied extensively and there is paucity of information in the literature in this regard. Scanty information is available in the literature about prognostic value of serum electrolytes in ischaemic heart disease. Hence this study was undertaken to study any changes in the serum electrolytes with special reference to serum sodium and potassium in cases of AMI and study the correlation of serum sodium and potassium in the severity and outcome of AMI. Hundred people were included in study divided equally in study and control groups. Study group comprised confirmed diagnosis of recent onset of AMI. The blood samples of both the groups were analysed for Serum electrolytes (Na+, K+) by flame-photometry (Bio-Lab Diagnostic kit). There was statistically significant decrease in sodium and potassium levels in across all age groups & in both sexes of study group compared to control group. Significant high level of sodium was observed in AMI patients who are smokers and AMI patients with Diabetes whereas the level was low in AMI patients with hypertension. Potassium levels were low in AMI patients with Diabetes whereas the change was insignificant in association with smoking and hypertension. Decrease in sodium level was due to hypoxia and ischaemia, which increase the permeability of sarcolemma to sodium whereas decrease in potassium level was influenced by the catecholamine levels which are elevated in early acute myocardial infarction.

ONE CASE REPORT OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION INDUCED BY LEFT ATRIAL MURAL THROMBUS SHEDDING IN RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

ObjectivesI. Clinical dataThe patient was a 49-year-old female who presented with complaints of recurrent chest discomfort and serious jaw pain for 7 days. The ECG of the patient made in...

The prognostic meaning of the full spectrum of aVR ST-segment changes in acute myocardial infarction

ST-elevation in lead aVR is known to be associated with a worse prognosis in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI) but the significance of ST depression in lead aVR has been unclear. Infarction of the inferior apex of the left ventricle may not be appreciated on the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) except by observing ST depression in lead aVR which is reciprocal to lead V(7). We therefore determined the prognostic value of the full spectrum of aVR ST changes in patients presenting with acute ST elevation MI. Lead aVR ST level was measured on randomization and 60 min ECGs in 15 315 patients with normal conduction from the HERO-2 trial. The outcome measure was 30-day mortality. aVR ST elevation ≥1 mm was associated with higher 30-day mortality for both inferior (22.5% for ≥1.5 mm and 13.2% for 1 mm) and anterior (23.5% for ≥1.5 mm and 11.5% for 1 mm) infarction. In contrast, deeper aVR ST depression (0, 0.5, 1, and ≥1.5 mm) was associated with higher mortality for anterior infarction (9.8, 13.2, 12.8, and 16.8%, respectively, trend P-value <0.0001) but not for inferior infarction. The resolution of aVR ST depression and ST elevation 60 min after fibrinolysis was associated with lower mortality. There is a U-shaped relationship between 30-day mortality and aVR ST level in patients presenting with anterior but not inferior ST elevation MI.

Degeneration of sensory afferent nerves enhances pulmonary inflammatory alterations in acute myocardial infarction in rats

Evidence suggests proinflammatory changes in the lungs during acute myocardial infarction and a participation of neural mechanisms and substance P in the pathology. This study was undertaken to investigate the role and the mechanisms by which sensory afferent degeneration at neonatal stages exacerbates the pulmonary inflammatory responses to acute myocardial infarction in the adult rats. The degeneration of capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves was induced by administration of capsaicin to neonatal rats. The pulmonary inflammatory changes following coronary artery occlusion (CAO) were assessed by the analysis of the infiltration of neutrophils and tissue morphology in the lungs. Significant increases in the pulmonary infiltration of neutrophils, up to 240% and 218% of the sham controls at 3 and 6 h, respectively, after CAO (P<.05) and marked pulmonary edema were observed. Degeneration of capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves or antagonism of endogenous neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor exacerbated the pulmonary infiltration of neutrophils (up to 214% and 254% of the controls, respectively) and pulmonary tissue edema following the CAO. The findings indicate that degeneration of sensory afferent nerves enhances the pulmonary inflammatory changes in acute myocardial infarction, in which the endogenous NK may play a role.