Clinical Relevance of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

We measured levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) as a potential risk factor in 75 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared to 25 patients with stable angina (SA) and 20 healthy participants. Patients were studied stressing on smoking, hypertension, diabetes, lipid profile, cardiac enzymes, MMP-9, and electrocardiography. Patients with ACS had higher MMP-9 levels than the SA group. The highest MMP-9 levels were found among ST-elevated myocardial infarction (MI), while the lowest levels were found among the control group. The MMP-9 level was significantly higher among patients with ACS having poor disease outcome (recurrent ischemic attacks, congestive heart failure, or death). The MMP-9 cutoff value of 3100 pg/mL was able to discriminate MI from unstable angina (UA), while the best prognostic utility was established at 4700 pg/mL. We suggest that serum MMP-9 could be an early marker that discriminates MI from UA and predicts poor outcome in terms of disease severity and extent of disease complications.