Can inflammatory biomarkers play a role in the inclusion of patients with acute myocardial infarction in cardiac rehabilitation programs?

Introduction: In spite of the enormous progress made over the last decades, acute coronary syndromes remain the leading cause of death globally. Inflammation plays an important role in coronary artery disease development. Although the role of inflammatory biomarkers in acute obstructive myocardial infarction is well established, there is no data regarding the potential differences between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with ST segment elevation, AMI without ST segment elevation (NON-STEMI) and non-obstructive acute myocardial infarction (MINOCA), respectively. Also, it is well known that cardiac rehabilitation of acute myocardial infarction survivors significantly improves their long-term prognosis. Aim of the study: To asses the possible existing differences between patients with STEMI, NON-STEMI and MINOCA in terms of clinical and paraclinical parameters, especially inflammatory biomarkers. A second objective of our study was to describe the relationship between inflammatory, cardiac necrosis enzymes and left ventricle systolic function. Material and methods: The study included 35 adult patients admitted in the Cardiology service of the Niculae Stăncioiu Heart Institute, Cluj-Napoca with acute myocardial infarction. Demographic, clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory data were analyzed. Patients were divided into 3 groups, 19 patients (54.2%) were diagnosed with STEMI- group 1, 9 patients (25.7%) with NON-STEMI- group 2 and 7 patients (20%) with MINOCA- group 3, respectively. Dosage of serum inflammatory markers was performed on the day of admission. Results and conclusion: The most common associated cardiovascular risk factor was arterial hypertension (65.7% of patients). Markers of myocardial necrosis (CK, CK-MB, hs Troponin) were significantly higher in patients with STEMI (p <0.05) in comparison with NON-STEMI and MINOCA patients. Congestive heart failure was most frequently encountered in STEMI patients. hsCRP value was higher among patients with STEMI. The value of ESR was significantly higher among patients with NON-STEMI. Serial dosage of inflammation biomarkers in patients with recent acute myocardial infarction may serve as valuable risk stratification instruments and also for functional capacity and recovery status assessment in patients included in cardiac rehabilitation programs.