Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study is to show the oxidative stress in pulmonary embolism by detecting the levels of ischemia modified albumin (IMA), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with pulmonary embolism.

Material and Method: 39 patients, who were dagnosed with pulmonary embolism in the Emergency Service or Thoracic Diseases Polyclinic of the Trakya University Faculty of Medicine between September 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, and 39 healthy volunteers were included in the study. IMA, AOPP and MDA levels were studied. T-test and Mann Whitney and X2 tests were applied in independent samples. A value of p<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, height, and weight. The difference in the AOPP levels of the two groups was not significant. The difference in the serum albumin levels of the two groups was found significant (p<0.001). The difference in levels of IMA after being corrected according to the albumin levels of the two groups was not significant. MDA levels of the two groups showed a significant difference (p=0.032).

Conclusion: AOPP levels in patients with pulmonary embolism were not found different but, the increases of MDA levels were significant. We suggest using albumin-adjusted IMA levels to interpret IMA levels more correctly. We need more studies about using IMA levels as an indicator for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. (Tur Toraks Der 2011; 12: 100-4)