Short Communication

Effects of Vitamins C and E on the Outcome after Acute Myocardial Infarction in Diabetics: A Retrospective, Hypothesis-Generating Analysis from the MIVIT Study
Tomasz Jaxa-Chamiec^a, Bronislaw Bednarz^a, Krystyna Herbaczynska-Cedro^b, Pawel Maciejewski^a, Leszek Ceremuzynski^a, on behalf of the MIVIT Trial Group<sup>1

a</sup>Postgraduate Medical School, Department of Cardiology, Grochowski Hospital, and
^bMedical Research Center, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland

Address of Corresponding Author

Cardiology 2009;112:219-223 (DOI: 10.1159/000151239)

  Key Words

• Myocardial infarction
• Diabetes
• Oxidative stress
• Antioxidant vitamins

  Abstract

Background: There is significant evidence that reactive oxygen species play an important role in endothelial dysfunction, ischemia/reperfusion injury as well as in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM). It is also known that vitamins C and E have substantial antioxidant properties. However, clinical evidence concerning this topic is insufficient so far. The aim of the present study was to determine if the administration of vitamins C and E influences the outcome in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Among 800 patients with AMI included in the MIVIT (Myocardial Infarction and Vitamins) study, 122 patients (15%) had confirmed DM. A retrospective analysis of the influence of vitamins C and E on 30-day cardiac mortality in patients with or without DM was performed. Results: There was a significant reduction in 30-day cardiac mortality in diabetic patients treated with antioxidant vitamins C and E [5 (8%) vs. 14 (22%); OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.11-0.93; p = 0.036]. Such an effect has not been observed in patients without DM [19 (6%) vs. 19 (6%); OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.51-1.85; p = 0.94]. Conclusion: The results suggest that early administration of antioxidant vitamins C and E in patients with AMI and concomitant DM reduces cardiac mortality.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Tomasz Jaxa-Chamiec, MD
Department of Cardiology, Postgraduate Medical School
Grochowski Hospital, Grenadierow 51/59
PL-04-073 Warsaw (Poland)
Tel. +48 22 871 1142, Fax +48 22 810 1738, E-Mail tomjch@kkcmkp.pl

  Article Information

The study results were presented at the World Congress of Cardiology in Barcelona in September 2006 (Eur Heart J 2006;27:920).

Received: February 18, 2008
Accepted after revision: April 28, 2008
Published online: August 12, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 14