#941 Pentraxin-3 as a marker of coronary artery disease in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Pentraxin-3 (PTX3), a novel inflammatory biomarker, has been recognized as a predictor of cardiovascular events in the general population, including coronary artery disease (CAD). Although PTX3 is elevated in dialysis patients, its potential diagnostic value for the estimation of CAD severity is still insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between PTX3 and CAD in hemodialysis patients. Method This cross-sectional study included 60 angina-free chronic hemodialysis patients (60% men, mean age 60 ± 11 years, mean dialysis vintage 26 ± 14 months). Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) were performed to evaluate CAD burden and stenosis severity, which was defined as significant if obstructing more than 50% of the vessel lumen. PTX3 was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results Significant coronary artery stenosis was detected in 24 (40%) patients, of which the majority (17; 70.83%) had one-vessel disease. PTX3 was 194.82 ± 68.58 ng/mL in patients with significant CAD, whereas 83.55 ± 11.89 ng/mL in those without significant coronary artery stenosis (p = 0.028). PTX3 levels tend to increase in patients with CACS higher than 200 Agatston units, however statistically significant difference was not reached (p = 0.504). PTX3 levels correlated with age (p < 0.05) and c-reactive protein (p = 0.007), while negatively correlated with body mass index (p < 0.05). Conclusion PTX3 is significantly increased in hemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease. Further studies should elucidate if including PTX3 as a marker for detecting CAD prior to invasive imaging could improve cardiovascular risk stratification even in angina-free hemodialysis patients.