[Nitric oxide synthesis in patients with myocardial infarction]

The findings of the author demonstrate that the system of nitric oxide (NO) generation and metabolism is an element of multicomponent response of the organism to myocardial infarction (MI). This response consists in MI patients' systemic ability and, in particular, their peripheral blood mononuclears' ability to produce NO as well as the absence of iNOS activation in peripheral blood of MI patients. It is important for a practitioner to understand that a fall in the urine and plasma concentration of NO metabolism end product reflects low activity of NO generation while NO is a powerful regulatory factor in the cardiovascular system. Thus, low levels of NO and its metabolites in the urine and plasma of MI patients indicate depletion of compensatory coronarodilatating potential and, eventually, poor prognosis. Relevant measurements will provide additional parameters in assessment of body reserves in MI patients and in MI prognosis within the first hours of its onset.