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Decrease of plasma triglycerides during the acute phase of unstable angina or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction is a marker of recurrent ischemia.

Correia LC, Magalhães LP, Braga JC, Rocha MS, Lima JC, Passos LC, D'Oliveira A, Péricles Esteves J, Spósito AC

Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.

Both increase and decrease of plasma triglycerides during acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are reported, however, a clinical relevance for these distinct metabolic responses is unclear. To test the association between distinct responses of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk, 39 subjects admitted with non-ST elevation ACS within 48 h of presentation had plasma lipids measured on the first and sixth days of hospitalization, and continuous electrocardiogram was performed during the first 2 days to quantify recurrent ischemia and heart rate variability. No lipid-lowering therapy was offered to the patients. During the first 5 days, half of them experimented a decrease in triglycerides (n=19, median: -18 mg/dl) and the other half presented triglyceride increase (n=20, median: +44 mg/dl). A higher incidence of recurrent ischemia (35% versus 5%, P=0.02) and greater ischemic burden/patient (123 +/- 286 mm min versus 47 +/- 212 mm min, P=0.02) were observed in subjects with triglyceride reduction, when compared with those with triglyceride increase. Individuals with heart rate variability below the median presented a median decrease in triglycerides during the 5-day period, as opposed to the counterparts (P=0.05). In conclusion, triglyceride reduction during ACS is associated with a greater incidence of recurrent ischemia and may constitute a sign of higher sympathetic activity.

Published 18 October 2004 in Atherosclerosis, 177(1): 71-6.
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