Oxidative stress and left ventricular dysfunction following acute coronary syndrome

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases, acute coronary syndromes and heart failure account for the highest mortality rate worldwide. The major underlying mechanism driving the onset and maintenance of cardiovascular diseases is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a consequence of Oxidative stress. Purpose We aimed to analyze the influence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathion peroxidase (GPX) activities on angiographic severity and left ventricular dysfunction in the Acute Coronary Syndrome. Methods SOD and GPX activity levels were evaluated in 117 patients admitted for either ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Results Lower SOD and GPX activity levels were seen in elderly and patients who presented with STEMI and high risk NSTEMI. There was no significant relation between antioxidant activity, angiographic coronary artery severity and the left ventricular systolic function at admission (SOD: 6.1 vs. 7.5 U/mg, P = 0.17; GPX: 1.27 vs. 1.31 μmol/mn/mg, P = 0.79). SOD and GPX activities levels were neither significant in relation to mortality nor to survival rates up to twelve months. Conclusion We found no relationship between reduced levels of SOD and GPX activity post-acute coronary syndrome, left ventricular dysfunction and mortality up to 12-months of follow-up in this study.