COMPLEMENT ACTIVATES NEUTROPHILS DURING PTCA PROCEDURE IN PATIENTS WITH UNSTABLE ANGINA-PECTORIS

We estimated adherence, aggregation and chemiluminescence of neutrophi ls as well as concentrations of C-3c, C-4 and C-5 complement component s and complement haemolytic activity (CH50) in 27 patients with unstab le angina pectoris subjected to percutaneous transluminal coronary ang ioplasty (PTCA). The control group consisted of 12 patients with unsta ble angina pectoris, in whom coronary angiography was performed but PT CA was decided against for various reasons. Blood samples for examinat ion were taken from coronary sinus and peripheral vein just before, 1 min and 20 min after PTCA or coronary angiography. We observed enhance ment of neutrophil adherence, aggregation and chemiluminescence, and d ecrease in concentrations of C-3c, C-5 and complement haemolytic activ ity (CH50) after PTCA procedure. In conclusion we think that ischemia resulting from PTCA causes complement activation in an alternative pat hway which seems to be connected with neutrophil activation. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.