Combination of biomarkers to predict mortality in elderly patients with myocardial infarction

ObjectiveThe elderly subjects affected by Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) have the highest risk of mortality. Our study was designed to improve the capability of mortality risk stratification in elderly AMI patients through the concurrent evaluations of different biomarkers, including genetic markers.Methods and resultsOne-year follow-up study was performed in 250 elderly AMI patients. The combination of high total Homocysteine (tHcy), low folate and vitamin B12 plasma levels (18.0 ± 9.0 μmol/l; 4.4 ± 1.2 ng/ml; 404.2 ± 287.5 pg/ml, respectively) and elevated CRP plasma levels (≥6 mg/dl) identify the highest-risk pathway of heart mortality (RR = 4.20, IC 95% 1.62–10.89, P < 0.002) with respect to the combination of low total tHcy, high folate and vitamin B12 plasma levels (12.4 ± 5.2 μmol/l; 8.9 ± 2.5 ng/ml; 546.9 ± 379.8 pg/ml, respectively) and low CRP plasma levels (<6 mg/dl).ConclusionIn elderly AMI patients the concomitant elevation of CRP and tHcy, associated with folate and vitamin B12 low levels, could be considered a significant predictive heart mortality risk factor.