Serum Periostin Levels in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients: a 3-month Follow-up Study

BACKGROUND: Heart attack, acute myocardial infarction, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries and are rapidly pandemic in developing and underdeveloped countries. Periostin concentration increases in the blood of patients after acute myocardial infarction and affects the process of cardiac remodeling leading to myocardial fibrosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between serum periostin levels and cardiac function and acute myocardial infarction patients’ short-term prognosis (three months after onset). METHODS: Fifty-two acute myocardial infarction patients were prospectively enrolled in the present study, and 52 controls were established. The levels of periostin of acute myocardial infarction patients at 5-7 days after the onset were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Other blood tests and echocardiography were performed during the patient’s hospital stay. The correlation between periostin and TIMI, GRACE scores, body mass index, laboratory findings, and 3-month post- acute myocardial infarction data, including pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiographic parameters, were investigated. RESULTS: Serum periostin levels increased significantly in acute myocardial infarction patients compared with normal controls. There was an association between serum periostin at diagnosis and cardiac function three months after acute myocardial infarction: serum periostin was in negative correlation with ejection fraction (r = - 0.31, p = 0.028); positive association was found between serum periostin level and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (r = 0.38, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Serum periostin levels increase in acute myocardial infarction, and serum periostin can be used to predict cardiac function three months after acute myocardial infarction.