African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2274

Full Length Research Paper

Antiphospholipid antibodies in acute cardiac attacks

Abdul Rahman S. Al-Ajlan
Medical Laboratory Department College Of Applied Medical Sciences, Riyadh, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 28 November 2012
  •  Published: 22 January 2013

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases have prevailed all over the world in the last few decades. Mortality and morbidity rates due to myocardial infarction (MI) and angina pectoris (AP) increased and affect younger ages in the present days. There are very few studies that have been carried out to define the prevalence of antiphospholipids (APLs) as a marker to help the people at risk in Saudi Arabia. The objective of our study was to examine the antiphospholipid antibodies levels on plasma including anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) and lupus anticoagulants (LA) among Saudi men living in the metropolis of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study was carried out on a sample of 50 Saudi men, aged less than 45 years, who had angina pectoris (AP) and myocardial infarction (MI) going to Riyadh Medical Complex (RMC) and Al-Iman General Hospital from March, 2006 to January, 2008. They were compared with the control group of forty subjects comprising students and staff of the Riyadh College of Health Sciences. Antiphospholipids antibodies can be detected in patients with autoimmune disorders. The primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome results from reaction of the immune system. In this study, ACA and LA were tested by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), respectively. The present results showed a significant increase of ACA in 88% of patients. 16 patients (32%) showed positive LA. Antiphospholipids antibodies were found to be significantly associated with MI and in acute attacks of AP especially in patients showing coronary ischemia or thrombosis. The association of LA and ACA showed marked significant correlation when considered together (P < 0.05). More attention should be paid by cardiologist to antiphospholipid syndrome, as it is among the severe and fatal diseases. The rise in APLs is a marker for recurrent stroke risk. Further studies in the area are needed.

 

Key words: Anti phospholipids, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, Saudi Arabia.