Evaluation of copper and haematological markers in atherosclerosis coronary heart disease

Preeti Gupta, P.B. Desai

Abstract

Background
Coronary heart disease [CHD] remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in all developed as well as in developing countries. Leading cause of CHD is atherosclerosis, an inflammatory disease. Inflammation is closely related to thrombosis which begins with Platelets aggregation. Experimental Studies on animal model had been highlighted that copper may be associated with platelet aggregation but the data in human studies are lacking.

Aims
This study was undertaken to evaluate role of haematological markers namely platelet count, clotting time, bleeding time and association of copper in pathogenesis of CHD.

Methods
The study was conducted was conducted in a single centre with retrospective atherosclerotic CHD cases and 100 as healthy controls. All 200 subjects were undergone through ECG and invasive coronary angiography. Haematological markers such as platelet counts, clotting time, bleeding time & Copper were measured in both groups by standard biochemical methods.

Results
Patients with the atherosclerotic CHD had decreased level of Platelet counts & Copper compared to healthy controls whereas there were no significant difference had been observed in CT & BT. Significant Positive correlation observed among the platelet count and copper levels in CHD cases. Post hoc analysis of platelet count and copper level in CHD cases and control subjects shows, significant positive correlation between the copper and platelet count levels in CHD cases, although on contrary there was non-significant negative correlation observed in copper and platelet counts levels among the control subjects.

Conclusion
Compared to control, low platelet count and copper levels in cases predict that platelets and copper may plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis CHD and has correlation with each.
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