Circulating matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases levels in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease: Relationship to cardiac functions

Abstract

Objective: The pathological effects of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in cardiovascular diseases are of considerable interest. In our study, we aimed to determine and evaluate the potential significance of circulating matrix metalloproteinases-2 and 9, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and 2 levels in four patient subgroup of pediatric cardiology field and expose pathophysiologic differences between these groups.