Clinical significance of changes of serum aldosterone and corisol levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objective: To investigate the changes of serum aldosterone(ALD) and cortisol(Cor) levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI). Methods: Serum ALD and Cor levels were measured with RIA in 58 patients with AMI and controls. Results: Serum ALD and Cor levels were significantly increased in patients with AMI (193.6±50.1 ng/L vs 83.2±34.4 ng/L in controls, t=10.81, P<0.01, 207.0±80.2 nmol/L vs 105.5±49.1 mol/L, t=6.332, P<0.01), and file serum ALD level was significantly positively correlated with the serum Cor level (r=0.884, P<0.01). ALD and Cor levels in patients with heart failure were significantly higher than those in patients without heart failure (t=6.141, P<0.01, t=6.134, P<0.01). ALD and Cor levels in patients succumbed were significantly higher than those in patients recovered (t=5.063, P<0.01; t=6.601, P<0.01). Conclusion: ALD and Cot were increased in AMI patients, and most markedly in those with heart failure or succumbed. (authors)