[Selenium substitution in acute myocardial infarct].

BACKGROUND: Previous examinations have demonstrated decreased selenium levels in serum and full blood in patients with myocardial infarction.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: 28 patients received a selenium treatment additional to the usual treatment of myocardial infarction. 19 patients with myocardial infarction with no supplementary selenium treatment served as a control group. Selenium levels in serum, full blood and urine were measured and the complications of the myocardial infarction documanted.

RESULTS: There was a significant increase of serum and full blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase levels under i.v. selenium therapy in the acute phase of myocardial infarction (first to third day). Left heart failure more rarely occurred in the selenium group (20%) than in control patients (57%). Acute tachycardial cardiac rhythm disturbances such as ventricular extrasystoles and couplets diminished in both groups; ventricular extrasystoles decreased in the selenium group.

CONCLUSIONS: Selen should be substituted in patients with acute myocardial infarction and decreased selen levels. It would be useful to carry out a prospective double-blind study.