Abstract:

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains as a single biggest cause of death worldwide. Heart-type fatty acid -binding protein (h-FABP) and myoglobin are small proteins present in the myocyte cytosol. In cases of myocardial damage, they can freely pass into the bloodstream. Thus, they might be useful in the diagnosis of ACS. The aim of this prospective study was to search the relationship between h-FABP and myoglobin levels and disease severity and mortality. Methods: One hundred-fourty-nine male patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction consitututed our study population. Two groups occurred according to low (<23) and high (≥23) SYNTAX score as group 1 and group 2. Blood specimens were taken for h-FABP and myoglobin analysis at hospital admission and at 12 h. Patients underwent coronary angiography for diagnosis and treatment, and the SYNTAX score was calculated. Participants were followed up for 72 months, and cardiovascular mortality rates were recorded. Results: H-FABP at admission and h-FABP level at 12th h were lower in group 1 than in group 2 (p<0.001). We did not find significant differences between the myoglobin levels measured at the time of hospital entrance and at the 12th h in both groups. During 72-month follow-up, 123 patients survived and the survivors had a lower SYNTAX score, and a lower h-FABP level at admission. In the univariate analysi, h-FABP levels at admission and at 12 h were found to be independent predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. However, h-FABP levels did not predict mortality. Conclusion: In patients with ACS, measuring h-FABP levels at admission and in the late period (12th hour) are helpful, not only in the diagnosis but also severity and seriousness of CAD.

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