Ischemia modified albumin in myocardial infarction and its correlation with selected acute phase reactants

Background: There is evidence that ischemia modified albumin increases (IMA) in acute coronary syndrome, but enough work has not been done in assessing the correlation between IMA and inflammatory markers in myocardial infarction (MI).Objective: The objective of the present study was to observe whether IMA would significantly be altered in MI patients and also whether the same would be correlated with selected acute phase reactants.Methods: The present hospital based, noninterventional, cross-sectional study was undertaken in Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Fifty cases of acute MI (AMI) and 50 suitable controls were enrolled for the study. Serum IMA, serum albumin, serum total cholesterol, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), serum ceruloplasmin and serum transferrin were measured in blood from the study population.Results: Serum IMA and hsCRP (P < 0.0005) were significantly higher in cases whereas serum transferrin (P < 0.0005) and albumin (P < 0.005) were significantly lower in cases as compared to controls. In cases, IMA was found to be positively correlated (r = 0.470, P = 0.001) with hsCRP, one of the common markers of inflammation in AMI. Serum IMA, hsCRP and transferrin play a significant role (P < 0.05) in assessing the severity of inflammation.Conclusion: Serum IMA was altered in AMI patients and positive correlation was obtained between IMA and positive acute phase reactant hsCRP. This study encourages future studies probing the role of inflammation in the causation of MI.