Significance of Erythrocyte Aggregation Test in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Erythrocyte acts as a scavenger. When reactive O2 species are produced beyond its antioxidant capacity, it loses its structural integrity resulting in aggregation. Thus, aggregation has been a useful marker to detect inflammatory state. This is assessed by slide test in this study, which was currently available indirectly through ESR. To test for erythrocyte aggregation by a slide test in myocardial infarction (MI) cases and controls and to correlate ESR values with that of erythrocyte aggregation on slide test. Our study included 40 cases of acute MI and 40 matched healthy controls. Blood samples were collected. ESR by Westergren’s method and slide test were performed. Slides were prepared and analysed under 40X magnification and grades A to D were assigned, based on degree of erythrocyte aggregation. Statistical Analysis carried out by Fisher exact “t” test and Independent “t” test. The mean age of the subjects was 55±9years. Aggregation was significantly severe in MI cases, where 19(47.5%) showed grade C and 18(45%) showed grade D. Controls showed predominantly grade A and B, constituting 37.5% and 50% respectively. ESR was significantly higher in MI patients. 37.5% cases and 77.5% controls with Grade A, B and D aggregation had ESR <20 and 32.5% cases with Grade D aggregation had ESR >20 mm/hr. Erythrocyte aggregation test is a simple, cost-effective, indirectly reveals the presence and proportion of inflammation. It can be used as screening test in high-risk individuals for MI.