Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Acute myocardial infarction in young patients: nutritional status and biochemical factors
Anna Vittoria Mattioli1, Lorenzo Bonetti, Mauro Zennaro
1Department of Cardiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del pozzo, 71, 41100 Modena, Italy. mattioli.annavittoria@unimo.it
Insights
Younger patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) showed similar acute-phase reactants but higher levels of homocysteine, LDL, and triglycerides compared to older patients. Nutritional status also differed significantly between the age groups.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) affects individuals across all age groups.
- Understanding age-related differences in AMI patient profiles is crucial for tailored treatment strategies.
- Biochemical markers and nutritional status may play distinct roles in the pathophysiology of AMI in younger versus older populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare nutritional status and biochemical factors, including C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), serum iron (Fe), and fibrinogen, at admission between young (<40 years) and old (>60 years) male patients with AMI.
- To investigate differences in the increase of acute-phase reactants during hospitalization between young and old AMI patients.
- To examine disparities in dyslipidemic profiles between these two age groups.
Main Methods:
- The study included 40 young male AMI patients (mean age 36.7 years) and 40 older male AMI patients (mean age 66.3 years).
- CRP, SAA, Fe, and fibrinogen levels were measured at admission and daily for seven days.
- Nutritional status, homocysteine, LDL, and triglyceride levels were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Acute-phase reactants (CRP, SAA, Fe, fibrinogen) showed quantitatively similar levels between young and old AMI patients.
- Younger patients exhibited significantly higher levels of homocysteine, LDL, and triglycerides compared to older patients.
- Nutritional status was also found to be significantly different between the young and old AMI patient groups.
Conclusions:
- While acute-phase reactants do not significantly differentiate young from old AMI patients, other factors do.
- Younger AMI patients present with distinct biochemical profiles, including elevated homocysteine, LDL, and triglycerides, alongside differing nutritional status.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering age-specific risk factors and metabolic profiles in managing acute myocardial infarction.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to establish whether nutritional status and biochemical factors, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) protein, serum iron (Fe) and fibrinogen at admission were different in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at a young age (<40 years) vs. those with AMI at an older age (>60 years). We also investigated whether during the stay in the hospital, the increase in acute-phase reactants was different in young vs. older subjects, and if dyslipidemic aspects were different between the two groups.
Methods:
The study population consisted of 40 patients, all males with a mean age of 36.7+/-1.16 years, admitted to our facility with AMI. The control group included 40 patients, all males, mean age of 66.3+/-4.24 years, with AMI. CRP, SAA, Fe and fibrinogen were determined at admission to the hospital and daily for 7 days in the two groups of patients.
Results:
In young patients the median value of the highest levels were 6.2 mg/l (range 0.7-27.30) for CRP, 13.22 mg/l (range 0.7-130) for SAA, 420 mg/dl (range 76-840) for fibrinogen and 49.1 gamma/ml (range 14-102) for Fe levels. In the older patients, the median value of the highest levels were 5.9 mg/l (range 0.6-28.30) for CRP, 12.12 mg/l (range 0.9-280) for SAA, 480 mg/dl (range 60-780) for fibrinogen and 47.1 gamma/ml (range 12-94) for Fe levels.
Conclusions:
In the present study, acute-phase reactants were quantitatively similar in young and old patients. On the contrary, nutritional status, homocysteine, LDL and triglycerides are significantly higher in young patients than in old patients.
Related Concept Videos
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Angina IV: Management