Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
No previous Iraqi study was done on the role of C - reactive protein (CRP) and anticholesterol
autoantibodies (ACHA) in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD) especially from the medico-legal
point of view.
AIMS OF THE STUDY:
To determine the role of CRP and ACHA in the diagnosis of IHD particularly myocardial infarction (MI)
with special attention to the medico- legal aspect.
METHODS:
Forty four lived patients from Al- Kadhimiya hospital and 20 cadavers in medico-legal institute of
Baghdad were included in this study, in addition to 18 apparently healthy persons and 3 cadavers as
controls. A number of risk factors were studied such as age, sex, smoking, and others. CRP and ACHA
detected and estimated in the sera of the lived and dead patients. Histopathological examination was done
on cardiac tissue specimens taken from the cadavers.
RESULTS:
Patients with anterior MI have higher CRP values than in patients with other types of MI. ACHA of IgM
type was higher in controls than in lived and patients, while that of IgG was higher in lived patients as
compared with dead patients and controls.
CONCLUSION:
Elderly males are affected more by MI. CRP is elevated in acute coronary syndrome. ACHA are present
in healthy individuals, but high in CAD.