Circulating endothelial cells – as an indicator of endothelial dysfunction in patients with miocardial infarction

Aim. To assess the state of the vascular endothelium in patients with myocardial infarction in terms of desquamated endotheliocytes before and after treatment.Material and methods. The results of morphological study of 30 patients with coronary heart disease: post infarction cardio sclerosis and 20 healthy volunteers are presented for comparison with the mean age of 65,1±3,6 and 62,7±3,7 years, respectively. In order to determine the number of DECs, we used the morphological method proposed by N.N. Petrishcheva et al. (2001), before and after impatient treatment.Results. Statistically significant DEC parameters were obtained in patients with myocardial infarction. The highest rates of DEC were found in 10% of patients (19±0,1×104 cells/l). Most patients (53.33%) had a moderate level of endotheliocytemia (11,2±0,7×104 cells/l). The control group, taken for comparison, had the upper limits of the physiological norm (3,9±0,9×104 cells/l). This shows a significant role of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction. A group of patients who had up to 10 years of a heart attack history revealed a direct correlation with the level of DEC.Conclusion. The number of DECs was significantly increased in patients with myocardial infarction compared with the control group before treatment. Against the background of complex therapy, the level of endotheliocytemia is significantly reduced, but does not reach physiological parameters.