[Rate of Detection of Atherosclerosis in Patients With ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Concomitant Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease of Light or Moderate Degree of Severity].

Purpose: to study frequency of detection of atherosclerosis among patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of light or moderate degree of severity, and to elucidate its relation to lung function and level of C-reactive protein (CRP).

Material And Methods: STEMI patients (n = 154) were enrolled into 2 groups: with (n = 58, group 1) and without (n = 96, group 2) COPD of light or moderate degree of severity. Examination of all patients included pulmonary function tests, color duplex scanning of arteries, determination of C-reactive protein using high sensitive assay (hs CRP) on days 10-14 from STEMI onset.

Results: Group 1 patients often had multivessel coronary lesions and signs of multifocal atherosclerosis (MFA).The extent of peripheral artery disease negatively correlated with parameters of lung expiratory function. Patients of this group had higher levels of hs CRP. At the same time STEMI and COPD patients demonstrated higher CRP levels, which reflected the activity of inflammation--one of mechanisms of atherosclerosis development.

Conclusion: In patients with STEMI and COPD of light or moderate severity impairment of expiratory lung function and elevated level of hs CRP are associated with the presence of multifocal atherosclerosis and hemodynamically significant lesions in arteries.