Serial changes of complement titers in the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

Although some studies suggest the involvement of a complement activation in the development of acute myocardial infarction, there has been little convincing evidence of the change of the complement in patients suffering from myocardial infarction. In 11 patients with acute myocardial infarction the serial changes of the total hemolytic complement titer (CH50), C3, C4, total serum protein and C3 conversion were investigated up to 120 hours after its attack. The level of CH50 and C4 increased consistently in the acute phase of myocardial infarction, but C3 did not show any change and total serum protein declined after 96 hours. Beta 1 A globulin, the split product of C3, could not be detected in the blood stream. These results suggest that the infarcted or ischemic myocardium would activate complements, and C3 might be consumed continuously by the infarcted or ischemic myocardium. Such consumption of complements should stimulate the production of complement and would give rise of an increase in C4 and CH50. It is suggested that activated complement might play a significant role in the development of myocardial infarction.