RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Vitronectin (VN) functions as a regulator of platelet adhesion and aggregation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of serum VN levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: In this study 62 patients admitted with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) were enrolled. Serum VN levels were measured within 6 h after onset of chest pains. RESULTS: The VN serum levels were higher in MI patients with a mean of 2.257 µg/ml (range 1.541-4.493 µg/ml) in the STEMI group, 1.785 µg/ml (range 1.372-4.113 µg/ml) in the NSTEMI group, and 1.222 µg/ml (range 1.033-1.466 µg/ml) in the controls (p = 0.012). Major adverse cardiovascular events could be predicted at 6 months using VN levels independently of other variables [odds ratio (OR) 9.87, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.54-47.37, p = 0.001]. There was a significant positive correlation between VN levels and the Gensini score in NSTEMI patients (r = 0.436, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The VN level may be relevant as a clinical biomarker for adverse cardiovascular outcomes not only in patients with ischemic heart disease undergoing coronary interventions, as previously reported, but also in coronary artery disease patients presenting with acute MI.