Evaluation of Iron Status in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Iron can cause lipid peroxidation in vivo and in vitro. Iron promotes myocardial injury in experimental animals. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation by oxidants including iron play a central role in atherosclerotic process, therefore, evaluation of serum iron in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has a significant importance. In this cross sectional prospective study, 112 patients with CAD and 63 without CAD, with known coronary anatomy by coronary angiography, were evaluated. Serum iron, ferritin, Lipoprotein (a), LDL and HDL were measured in their fasting blood sample. Patients were also evaluated for known CAD risk factors eg. diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cigarette smoking, family history of CAD and hyperuricemia. Patients with anemia, renal and hepatic disease, history of malabsorption, hemochromatosis, chronic infection, inflammatory or immunological disorders, known neoplastic disorders and heart failure were excluded. Both groups were identical in socio-economic status. Mean serum iron level in case group (with CAD) was 12.9±4μmol/l and in control group (without CAD) was 10.8±5μmol/l. There was significant difference between these values (P<0.001). Mean serum ferritin level in case group was 126±75μg/L and 101±75μg/L in the control group. There were also significant differences between these values P<0.005. In regard to the results of this study which showed serum iron and ferritin level were significantly higher in groups with CAD, without interference of other known risk factors, it may be possible that iron status of body can play a role in atherosclerotic process.