Time course analysis of the state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation in patients with ischaemic heart disease.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation (LAA), in the peripheral blood of patients with ischaemic heart disease.


METHODS
All the patients were examined during their hospitalization in the Chaim Sheba Medical Center Intensive Coronary Care Unit. The patients were divided into four diagnostic categories according to the clinical picture, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings, as well as enzyme levels. The white blood cell count (WBCC), the erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR) and the state of LAA were measured daily for a maximum of six days.


RESULTS
The LAA in ten patients with acute anterolateral myocardial infarction, increased from 5 +/- 5% day one to 13 +/- 6% at day five; the respective values for ten patients with a diaphragmatic MI were 2 +/- 2% and 5 +/- 3% respectively. Normal LAA values were noted in ten patients with myocardial ischaemia, and no evidence for infarction, as well as in ten controls. The increases LAA correlated significantly with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.53, p < 0.0001), raising the possibility that fibrinogen is involved in induction and/or maintenance of an increased LAA.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the state of LAA increases during the evolution of the infarction/inflammation process. Considering that sticky leukocytes may contribute to capillary flow retardation, the results of the present study would be relevant if optimal timing for anti-adhesive therapy is considered.
Liberman
E
E
Department of internal Medicine, D. Beilinson Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Schapiro
J M
JM
Feldman
M
M
Arber
L
L
Hod
H
H
Berliner
S
S
Arber
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000502:physiology*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000097:blood*
D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D003402:Creatine Kinase