ELEVATED LEVELS OF PLASMA VASOACTIVE-INTESTINAL-PEPTIDE IN HUMAN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

The plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide in peripheral vein were measured in human acute myocardial infarction. The plasma vasoact ive intestinal peptide level was increased within 1 h after the onset of the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (Group 1, n=9), compare d with normal values (6.3+/-0.7 vs. 2.8+/-0.9 pg/ml, P<0.05). Two or m ore hours after the onset of acute myocardial infarction there was no subsequent increase in peripheral plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide levels (n=26). Ten days after the onset of acute myocardial infarctio n, the elevated plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide levels in Group 1 had normalized (3.5+/-0.5 pg/ml).