Estimation of oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases.

Patients with mild and severe cardiovascular diseases showed a significant disturbance of the redox equilibrium, manifested by increases of lipid peroxides and decreases of plasma total antioxidants. When the resulting oxidative stress is associated with ECG changes characteristic of "coronary disease" it indicates an acceleration of atherosclerosis, in the initial phase (cellular involvement, migration, proliferation) and an additional thrombogenic risk in the "ischemic phase". When oxidative stress is associated with chronic heart failure, it indicates a progressive form with replacement fibrosis. These data suggest the necessity of adding to the usual therapy antioxidants, that reduce the oxidative stress, may slow down the pathologic changes and improve the patient's homeostatic systems.