Long-term changes in collagen formation expressed by serum carboxyterminal propeptide of type-I procollagen and relation to left ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction

The purpose of this study was to investigate the longterm sequential changes in serum levels of the carboxyterminal propeptide of type-I procollagen (s-PICP), which is a marker of typed collagen synthesis, and to assess its clinical value in relation to left ventricular (LV) function and prognosis following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Forty-eight consecutive patients with their first AMI and 15 control subjects were studied. Patients with AMI were stratified according to the changes in s-PICP levels between days 1 and 90 (Delta PICP) and divided into group I with less than or equal to 16.0 mug/l or group II with >16.0 mug/l. Patients in group II were characterized by LV dilatation, no improvement in ejection fraction and development of impaired diastolic filling from day 1 to 360, findings which were in contrast to group 1. Cox regression analysis identified changes in s-PICP of >16.0 mug/l as an independent predictor of cardiac death or heart failure during follow-up. In conclusion, Delta PICP relates to long-term changes in LV function and size, and provides prognostic information following AMI. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.