Anticardiolipin antibodies in ischaemic heart disease: marker or myth?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence and significance of anticardiolipin antibodies after myocardial infarction and in unstable angina.


METHODS
A prospective study of all patients under 60 admitted to the coronary care unit over a 12 month period with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction who were followed up for a further 12 months. Patients admitted with unstable angina were similarly assessed but not followed up. Anticardiolipin antibody concentrations were compared with those of age matched controls.


METHODS
A district general hospital.


METHODS
307 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 160 patients with unstable angina.


RESULTS
Anticardiolipin antibody concentrations in the two patient groups did not differ significantly from those in the control groups. Antibody concentrations were not related to a history of angina or myocardial infarction nor were they related to subsequent cardiovascular complications.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows no significant association between anticardiolipin antibody concentrations and either myocardial infarction or unstable angina.
Department of Cardiology, North Staffordshire Hospital Centre, Stoke-on-Trent.
K V
KV
Phadke
R A
RA
Phillips
D T
DT
Clarke
M
M
Jones
P
P
Naish
P
P
Carson
D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000276:immunology; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000276:immunology; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000276:immunology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D015415:Biomarkers