BACKGROUND: Myocardial damage occurs following valve replacement surgery. We estimated the value of heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) in these patients.METHODS: Sixty elected patients were enrolled and distributed into single (group A) and double (group B) valve replacement groups. The clinical data were outlined and blood samples were collected perioperatively for determination of plasma levels of H-FABP, cardiac troponin-I (cTn-I), and CK-MB in both groups.RESULTS: 56 patients completed the study and no significant difference of clinical data was observed except CPB time and ACC time between groups. H-FABP level elevated quickly after reperfusion and peaked significantly earlier than cTn-I and CK-MB, it also declined rapidly but did not return to baseline at 24 h after reperfusion. Three markers' levels were all higher in group B than in group A after reperfusion with significant differences at their peaks and thereafter. Patients with postoperative complications had significantly higher H-FABP levels than usual. H-FABP peak level associated well with the length of CPB and ACC as well as with other 2 markers' peak levels in both groups.CONCLUSION: Compared with cTn-I and CK-MB, H-FABP is an earlier and potentially useful marker in the rapid evaluation of myocardial damage following valve replacement surgery with CPB.
Adult Biomarkers