Nitric oxide metabolites (nitrite and nitrate) in young patients with recent acute myocardial infarction

Nitric oxide (NO) has a role in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic cardiovascular events. We studied the plasma concentration of NO stable end products (nitrite and nitrate – NO_x) in 43 patients aged <46 years, with recent acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The evaluation was effected at the initial stage, after 3 and 12 months. We subdivided the patients into subgroups according to the number of the main cardiovascular risk factors and to the extent of coronary disease. In the whole group the NO_x concentration was initially increased and progressively decreased after 3 and 12 months, remaining at both times significantly higher than in control subjects. The patients with more risk factors had a significantly higher NO_x concentration. In conclusion, the persisting high NO_x concentration in AMI patients is the expression of a prolonged inflammatory condition and is significantly influenced by the simultaneous presence of several cardiovascular risk factors.