Serum glucagon and insulin levels and their relationship to blood glucose values in patients with acute myocardial infarction and acute coronary insufficiency

Fasting serum glucagon, insulin and glucose levels were determined in 25 patients with acute myocardial infarction 1 day after their admission to the hospital and, in most instances, once again at a later date. Two control groups were used, one with coronary insufficiency but without myocardial infarction (10 patients) and the other without clinically recognizable coronary artery disease (12 patients). Serum glucagon levels were significantly higher in the patients with acute myocardial infarction on admission (121.6 ± 15.3 pg/ml) than in the other two groups and highest in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock (239.3 ± 31 pg/ml, p