Association of inflammatory markers and poor outcome in diabetic patients presenting with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: Carbohydrate metabolism disorders (CMD) significantly impact the development and progression of all forms of ischemic heart disease, and inflammation is regarded as a general pathogenetic link between CMD and ischemic heart disease. METHODS: A total of 601 patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) (STEMI), admitted within 24 hours from the onset of symptoms during 1 year, were included in this registry study. The blood levels of inflammation markers were measured at days 10–14 with further follow up at 1 year. RESULTS: The analysis of acute-phase percutaneous coronary intervention impact on the 1-year outcomes showed that endovascular revascularization significantly improved the 1-year prognosis of STEMI patients both with and without CMD. The analysis of inflammation markers showed significantly higher levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and sCD40L in MI patients with diabetes mellitus, and impaired glucose tolerance. Additionally, the patients with impaired glucose tolerance had significantly higher IL-12 levels. In the diabetic MI patients, the odds ratio of a poor 1-year outcome was high for patients with a high Killip classification of acute heart failure upon admission. CONCLUSION: Persistent inflammation in STEMI patients with CMD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention might be responsible for vascular complications within 1 year after MI. Comorbid diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance can amplify the significance of the inflammatory response for the development of adverse 1-year outcomes.