Serum Endothelin Levels in Myocardial Infarction

We studied blood endothelin (ET-1) levels during the early phase of myocardial infarction and its relation to the progression of myocardial infarction. We determined serum ET-1 levels in 15 patients (4 females, 11 males) with a mean age of 52±11, with myocardial infarction proved by ECG findings and serum enzyme levels in the first 72 hours from the beginning of pain to find out the effect of ET-1 in the early phase of myocardial infarction. The control group consisted of 15 persons (8 females, 7 males) with a mean age of 42±16. ET-1 levels were studied in the venous sample with radioimmunoassay (Amersham Endothelin 1,2 (125 I) Assay System). ET-1 levels were significantly high in patients with myocardial infarction compared to the control group (p<0.05). The mean ET-1 level in the study group was 3.72±2.16 while it was 1.96±0.72 in the control group. We found a significant correlation with CK-MB, while there was none with lipid fractions, other biochemical values and ECG findings. The level of ET-1 increases in the early phase of myocardial infarction but whether it is the cause or the result should be further investigated.