Plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids in acute myocardial infarction.

Serial determinations of plasma 11-hydroxy-corticosteroid (11-OH-CS), serum transaminase and venous blood lactate have been carried out over a 3-day period after admission in 26 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). On admission, values for 11-OH-CS above the upper normal range were found in slightly more than one half of the patients. Initial plasma 11-OH-CS levels higher than 40 μg/100 ml heralded a grave prognosis. Normal or moderately elevated levels were found in good risk patients. The study supports the assumption that determination of plasma 11-OH-CS may be of prognostic aid in the early phase of AMI. The rise in plasma 11-OH-CS preceded the rise in serum transaminase, but seemed to parallel the rise in venous blood lactate. Peak values for both the latter parameters showed close correlation with the steroid response.