ANAPHYLATOXINS IN DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY

Objects. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible relationship between activation of complement system and thromboembolic complications in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP). Methods. The plasma C3a and C5a concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay measurement (Amersham International, UK) in 23 patients with DCMP, 9 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCMP) and 11 healthy volunteers. Results. The mean C3a concentration was significantly higher in DCMP patients (5 72 +/- 55 ng ml-1) compared with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (344 +/- 30 ng ml-1) and with healthy controls (294 +/- 43 ng ml-1) (P<0.001). There were no significant correlations for C5a concentrations in this group. Mean C3a concentration in DCMP patients with thromboembolic complications (736 +/- 95 ng ml-1) was also significantly higher compared with DCMP patients without these complications (344 +/- 14 ng ml-1) (P<0.001). Conclusions. We conclude that anaphylatoxins may play a role in the pathogenesis of thromboembolic complications.