FREE-RADICAL ACTIVITY AFTER PRIMARY CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

Free-radical activity in coronary venous outflow was assessed before a nd after reperfusion in nine patients with acute infarction who had un dergone successful recanalization of the infarct-related artery by pri mary coronary angioplasty. Free-radical activity was measured in serum samples from coronary venous outflow over a timed period of 24 hours by using (1) the percentage molar ratio (PMR) of the diene conjugate g ,ll-linoleic acid, and (2) malonaldehyde concentration. Preangioplasty PMR means lay within the normal range, but showed a marked increase s oon after successful recanalization. Relative to baseline, the changes over time reached statistical significance between 2 and 60 minutes. No statistically significant changes in malonaldehyde occurred over th e study period. We conclude that successful recanalization of the infa rct artery is associated with significantly elevated free-radical acti vity, as measured by the PMR of conjugated diene, in coronary venous o utflow. Such patients may be at risk from free radical mediated reperf usion injury.