Decline of Serum Phosphorus in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, SGOT, CPK, and LDH were measured in 61 patients admitted to a coronary care unit. In 34 the ECG and enzymes confirmed an acute myocardial infarction, whereas the remaining 27 did not have an acute myocardial infarction. The serum phosphorus declined significantly in those with the acute infarction compared to the control group. The fall was most marked in the third and fourth postinfarction day, and by the fifth day had returned to baseline values. The serum calcium and magnesium did not change significantly over the 5 days. Thus the fall in the serum phosphorus serves as a sensitive indicator of acute myocardial infarction.