Time-course of changes in plasma levels of trace elements after thrombolysis during the acute phase of myocardial infarction in humans.

It has been suggested that the injury induced by reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium could result, in part, from the cytotoxic effects of oxygen free radicals. Since various trace elements are involved in several of the reactions leading to free radical production, we have measured plasma levels of copper, zinc, selenium, and iron: Plasma myosin levels were used to estimate quantitatively the extent of the infarcted mass. Plasma trace element levels were measured in blood samples following centrifugation and storage at −80°C. The main results were as followed: In G1 patients who have been subjected to thrombolysis, an important release of myosin was measured in plasma, with a peak at D6 (1678 vs 95 μU/L at H0). In those G1 patients after MI: In conclusion, this study underlined the time-course evolution of plasma trace element levels in the followup of patients who have been subjected to thrombolysis following a MI and the potential prognostic implication of such variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]