Immunoglobulin E in patients with ischemic heart disease

Abstract

Background: In recent years, increased serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration in patients with cardiovascular diseases has been generating more and more interest. It is as yet unknown, however, if the increased IgE level is a marker of future coronary incidents and whether it may be regarded as an ischemic heart disease risk factor, or if it is indicative of the participation of antibodies in an inflammatory reaction to tissue damage. The aim of the study was to evaluate what significant changes in the total IgE concentration occur in patients with different forms of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and whether the concentration differs in comparison to healthy people. Additionally, we evaluated the dynamics of serum IgE concentration in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Methods: The study included 195 patients: 80 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, 58 patients with troponin-negative acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 57 patients with stable angina pectoris, with negative personal and family history of allergy. The control group consisted of 39 healthy, age-matched individuals. Serum IgE concentration measurements were carried out with an Uni-cap Total IgE kit, using the FEIA technique.
Results: In patients suffering from any form of ischemic heart disease, significantly increased concentrations of serum immunoglobulin E were found, as compared to the control group of healthy individuals. Changes of IgE serum concentration on the 1^st day, 7^th day, 14^th day and 40^th day after AMI did not reveal any significant differences. Males with AMI turned out to have significantly higher immunoglobulin concentrations than females.
Conclusion: The observed higher serum IgE concentration in patients with IHD may serve as evidence contribution to atherogenesis and myocardial ischemia. (Cardiol J 2008; 15: 122-128)