Usefulness of neopterin levels and left ventricular function for risk assessment in survivors of acute myocardial infarction

Background: Results of previous studies have shown that serum neopterin levels are higher in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, little is known regarding the prognostic value of neopterin in survivors of AMI. The present study analyzes the prognostic value of neopterin serum concentration and left ventricular ejection fraction in survivors of AMI. Methods: The additional prognostic information provided by neopterin to parameters of left ventricular function in survivors of AMI was investigated through 82 patients with ST-segment elevation. Results: Binary logistic regression analysis identified the following predictors of 6-month cardiac death: Killip class > I at presentation (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2 to 3.8, p = 0.001), a reduced ejection fraction (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3 to 2.2, p = 0.001), and greater neopterin (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.6, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Neopterin is associated with mortality, in addition to parameters of ventricular function (Killip class and ejection fraction) in survivors of AMI. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.