Dynamic Changes in Stromal Cell-derived Factor-1α Levels in Acute and Stabilized Heart Disease - ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, AND HEART FAILURE (THE DYNASDY STUDY)

The study considers changes in SDF-1α levels in response to treatment of cardiac disease (myocardial infarction, heart failure or atrial fibrillation). SDF-1α levels will be measured at the acute stages of the disease, after stabilization and at longer term as detailed below. Levels of SDF-1α will be correlated to the outcome of disease.

BLOOD SAMPLING AND MEASUREMENT OF SDF-1Α A blood sample of about 5 ml will be sampled by peripheral venepuncture and anticoagulated with heparin. Blood samples will be spun for 15 minutes at 1000g within 30 minutes of collection. The resulting plasma will be stored at -80°C until analysis. Levels of SDF-1α in the plasma will be determined using a commercially available ELISA kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Analyses will be performed at the Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre.

PATIENTS Patients are included from the in-patient department of the Department of Cardiology, Hvidovre University Hospital. Patients are eligible for inclusion if diagnosed with myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation or heart failure, provided they do not suffer from malignant disease, diabetes mellitus types I or II and have a life expectancy of at least one year.

Exclusion criteria are based upon the fact that serum SDF-1α levels are elevated in malignant diseases as SDF-1α contributes to neoangiogenesis of the tumour mass, and SDF-1α levels have recently been demonstrated to be elevated in diabetes.