Cardioglobulin

Abstract

The plasma concentration of cardioglobulin C has been compared in hypertension, aortic stenosis, aortic insufficiency, and in a group of normal subjects. The concentration in subjects with aortic insufficiency was normal; whereas in the groups with aortic stenosis and with hypertension, the concentration was significantly increased. These findings suggest that there may be some relationship between the increased plasma concentration of cardio-globulin C and the development of increased left ventricular isometric tension in systole, which is characteristic of patients with aortic stenosis or essential hypertension. Cardioglobulin C concentration was measured in a group of patients with congestive heart failure secondary to valvular disease, and in two groups of patients with cardiac failure secondary to myocardial disease, either of known or of unknown cause. The results showed that the cardioglobulin C concentration in congestive failure secondary to valvular disease or to muscle disease of known cause was not significantly different from normal. The 17 patients with congestive failure secondary to muscle disease of unknown cause could be divided into two populations with respect to cardioglobulin C concentration. One group had concentrations which fell in the normal range, whereas the other group had extremely low values. The findings are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that the cardioglobulin system may be essential for maintaining normal myocardial contractility in warm-blooded animals.