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Document Details : Title: Cell-free DNA levels in acute myocardial infarction patients during hospitalization Author(s): A. Destouni , C. Vrettou , D. Antonatos , G. Chouliaras , J. Traeger-Synodinos , S. Patsilinakos , S. Kitsiou-Tzeli , D. Tsigas , E. Kanavakis Journal: Acta Cardiologica Volume: 64 Issue: 1 Date: 2009 Pages: 51-57 DOI: 10.2143/AC.64.1.2034362 Abstract : Objectives — The objectives of this study were to investigate cell-free DNA daily concentration changes following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to assess any correlations with complications during hospitalization. Methods and results — Serial cell-free DNA level determinations were performed by quantitative Real-Time PCR in 47 AMI patients once daily during hospitalization (235 samples) and once in 100 healthy subjects. Cell-free DNA concentrations are significantly higher in patients throughout hospitalization compared to healthy subject levels (2.644 (SE 0.0952) vs. 1.519 (SE 0.0566), P < 0.001). The median maximum cell-free DNA concentration was 3.5-fold higher (Mann Whitney P = 0.0035) in 20/47 patients with complicated post AMI course – group I – (1719.7, range 117.32-4996212.1 GenEq/ml plasma) compared with 27/47 patients without complications – group II – (492.9, range 56.43-4715.15 GenEq/ml plasma). Substantial differences exist between cell-free DNA concentrations measured on tpre (the day before the complication) and tc (the day the complication occurred) as well as tpost (the day after the complication) in group I whereby cell-free DNA rises significantly in tc and remains elevated in tpost (tpre vs. tc, 2.445 vs. 2.965, P = 0.0171 and tpre vs. tpost 2.445 vs. 2.913, P = 0.023). Conclusions — Cell-free DNA concentrations were elevated in AMI patients compared to healthy control subjects, rise significantly when complications occur and have a potential clinical value in monitoring patient progress during hospitalization. |
