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Objectives: Enhanced matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) activity in the early post-myocardial infarction (MI) period has been related to early remodeling. However, it has been demonstrated that plasma MMP-8 level has a biphasic profile, and the relation between the late plasma levels and remodeling is unclear. We evaluated the plasma MMP-8 levels and its correlates 20±3 months after acute MI., Study Design: 58 post-MI patients and 26 control subjects underwent quantitative single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and echocardiography. The plasma MMP-8 levels were measured and its correlates were investigated., Results: The MMP-8 levels were significantly higher in post-MI patients [median 3.88 ng/ml, interquartile range (1.88-6.43) vs. 0.67 ng/ml (0.34-2.47); p<0.001]. Plasma MMP-8 levels were significantly correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (ρ=0.34, p=0.009), end diastolic volume index (EDVi) (ρ=-0.39, p=0.002) and end systolic volume index (ESVi) (ρ=-0.40, p=0.002)., Conclusion: Plasma MMP-8 levels were found to still be high in post-MI patients 20±3 months after the index event. The levels were significantly correlated with left ventricular volume indices and LVEF. We speculate that, in contrast to the relation between the higher early MMP-8 activity and the extent of cardiac remodeling, higher late levels may be associated with relative preservation of left ventricular systolic function.

Objectives: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) upregulates endothelial cell adhesion molecule response to TNF-α by upregulating angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between admission plasma levels of OPG, Ang-2 and TNF-α in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and no-reflow after primary angioplasty and subsequent left ventricular remodeling (LVR)., Methods: Ninety-two patients with first STEMIs, reperfused within 12 h of symptom onset, were included. LVR was defined as a >20% increase in LV end-diastolic volume at 6-month follow-up assessed using echocardiography., Results: The incidences of angiographic no-reflow and electrocardiographic no-reflow were 40.2% and 55.4%, respectively. Thirty-six percent of patients subsequently developed LVR. OPG levels were significantly higher in patients who developed angiographic no-reflow (173 pg/ml, interquartile range [IQR] 83-416 vs 104 pg/ml, IQR 57-235; p=0.04), electrocardiographic no-reflow (160 pg/ml, IQR 81-315 vs 102 pg/ml, IQR 47-230; p=0.025) and LVR (174 pg/ml, IQR 120-342 vs 97 pg/ml, IQR 51-219; p=0.004). In multivariable logistic regression, OPG level was an independent predictor of angiographic (OR 1.05: 95% CI 1.01-1.08 [per 10 pg/ml increase]; p=0.005) and electrocardiographic (OR 1.04: 95% CI 1.00-1.07 [per 10 pg/ml increase]; p=0.04) no-reflow. ROC analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.69 for OPG and LVR. Plasma OPG≥132 pg/ml showed a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 61% for predicting LVR (OR 4.05: 95% CI 1.06-15.38; p=0.04)., Conclusion: High OPG level on admission is significantly associated with no-reflow after primary angioplasty and subsequent LVR at follow-up in patients with STEMI., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)