Background. Acute phase protein concentrations and serum copper levels in patients in acute phase of myocardial infarction were significantly higher in subjects with heart failure compared to patients with non-complicated course of myocardial infarction. Acute phase protein concentrations correlated with the parameters of the left ventricular systolic function in patients in acute phase of myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation of acute phase protein concentrations and serum copper levels with the parameters of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in patients with chronic heart failure out of the acute phase post myocardial infarction. Methods and Results. Authors analysed relation between the acute phase proteins, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and copper concentrations and the left ventricular systolic and diastolic function assessed by echocardiography in 38 patients (26 men and 12 women, average age 68 years) with chronic heart failure and advanced left ventricular systolic dysfunction post myocardial infarction with ejection fraction lower or equal to 35 %. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations correlated significantly with the left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.38, p<0.05) and with isovolumic relaxation time IRVT (r=-0.51, p<0.001) – inverse correlation. C-reactive protein concentration correlated with the ratio of the maximal flow velocity of the early transmitral diastolic filling (E vave) and with the maximal transmitral flow velocity during atrial contraction (A wave) – E/A ration (r=0.43, p<0.01). C-reactive protein concentration also correlated with the ration of the time velocity integrals of the E wave and the A wave – TVIE/TVIA (r=0.45, p<0.01) – positive correlation. Correlation between the fibrinogen and copper concentrations and the left ventricular ejection, or that with parameters of the diastolic left ventricular function were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Study revealed significant correlation between C-reactive protein concentration and parameters of the left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in patients with chronic heart failure post myocardial infarction. Correlation between copper and fibrinogen levels and parameters of the left ventricular function was not significant.

        Key words: C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, copper, chronic heart failure, left ventricular function.