Chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory gum disease, influences prognosis and the severity of heart attacks

Chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory gum disease, influences prognosis and the severity of heart attacks
Some of the authors of this article. From left to right, Francisco Mesa Aguado, Pablo Galindo Moreno, Francisco O’Valle Ravassa, Rafael Marfil Álvarez, Antonio Magán Fernández and José Antonio Ramírez Hernández.

Researchers from the University of Granada have demonstrated for the first time that chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory gum disease which provokes gradual teeth loss, is closely related to the severity of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as heart attack.

In a pioneering research, published in the prestigious Journal of Dental Research, and titled "Acute myocardial infarct size is related to periodontitis extent and severity", this team have demonstrated that the extent and severity of chronic periodontitis is related to the size of acute through seric levels of troponin I and myoglobin (biomarkers of ).

This research results in part from the conclusions of Rafael Martín Marfil Álvarez's doctoral dissertation, which was directed by UGR professors Francisco Mesa Aguado (Stomatology Department), José Antonio Ramírez Hernández (Medicine Department), and Andrés Catena Martínez (Experimental Psychology Department). This research analysed 112 patients who had suffered from acute myocardial infarction, at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital Cardiology Unit. They all underwent a series of cardiological, biochemical and periodontal health checks and tests.

According to professor Francisco Aguado, one of the authors of this research (which will have to be confirmed through further research), "chronic periodontitis appears as a death risk factor and it plays an important role in the prognosis of "

Researchers point out that it will be necessary to conduct follow-up checks with periodontal patients who have suffered myocardial infarction in order to determine the severity (or lack of it) of their clinical evolution (new coronary events, cardiac failure, or even death)

"If that happens to be the case, should be considered as a predictor in the development of myocardial infarction, and be therefore included in the risk stratification scores", according to Mesa Aguado.

More information: "Acute Myocardial Infarct Size Is Related to Periodontitis Extent and Severity." J DENT RES, 2014 Oct;93(10):993-8 DOI: 10.1177/0022034514548223

Journal information: Journal of Dental Research
Citation: Chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory gum disease, influences prognosis and the severity of heart attacks (2015, January 13) retrieved 18 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-01-chronic-periodontitis-inflammatory-gum-disease.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

In reperfusion era, beta-blockers have no mortality benefit in MI

13 shares

Feedback to editors