Vnitr Lek 2001, 47(11):753-756

[Serum copper levels in patients with chronic heart failure associated with systolic left ventricular dysfunction and its relation to the severity of cardiac failure].

F Málek, R Spacek, R Polásek, L Karel, P Stanka, M Zenáhlíková, E Jiresová

Kardiocentrum FN Královské Vinohrady 3. LF UK, Praha.

UNLABELLED: The authors examined the serum copper concentrations in a group of 40 patients with chronic heart failure and significant systolic left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 35%. In 21 patients the examination was made on admission to hospital on account of deterioration of cardiac insufficiency (group A), in 19 patients with stable chronic cardiac failure the examination was made at the out-patient department (group B). Assessment of serum copper concentrations was made by the method of absorption spectrophotometry under standard conditions. Assessment of the ejection fraction of the left ventricle and dimensions of the cardiac compartments was made by two-dimensional echocardiography. The heart rate was assessed from the electrocardiogram at rest.

RESULTS: The authors found statistically significantly higher copper concentrations in patients of group A (19.78 +/- 1.67 mumol/l) as compared with group B (14.80 +/- 1.54 mumol/l, p < 0.001). The correlation between copper concentrations, the left ventricular ejection fraction, dimensions of the cardiac compartments and heart rate are not significant.

CONCLUSION: Serum copper concentrations in patients with chronic heart failure and significant systolic left ventricular dysfunction are related to the severity of the disease and are higher in patients admitted on account of cardiac insufficiency than in patients with stable cardiac failure.

Keywords: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chronic Disease; Copper, blood, ; Female; Heart Failure, blood, ; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Stroke Volume; Systole; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left, blood,

Published: November 1, 2001  Show citation