Peer Mohamed, Tharun Lorenz, Bagialakshmi Gopal
BACKGROUND Microalbuminuria is an emerging risk factor in evaluation of inhospital coronary events and long-term morbidity and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The primary aim of this study is to determine the prognostic significance and the predictive value of microalbuminuria for complications in patients with non-diabetic, non-hypertensive acute myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross sectional study was done on 100 non-diabetic, non-hypertensive patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction. Spot urine sample was taken for measuring albumin creatinine ratio. Patients were followed up and observed for complications related to acute myocardial infarction like left ventricular dysfunction, cardiac failure, LV clot, recurrence of angina, occurrence of arrhythmias and death for a period of one year. RESULTS Among the 100 patients included in the study group 71% had microalbuminuria while 29% were normoalbuminuric. The difference was statistically significant, and it shows that there is definite association between acute myocardial infarction and microalbuminuria. Post myocardial infarction complications were also higher in the group with microalbuminuria indicating its efficacy as a prognostic marker in patients with acute myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION Microalbuminuria is a marker of endothelial dysfunction and its level rises in patients with acute myocardial infarction by various mechanisms, most prominent being as a part of systemic inflammatory response.
