Combination of Visual and Metabolic Markers in Assessment of Probability of Presence and Severity of Atherosclerosis of Coronary Arteries

Abstract

to assess possibilities of the use of biochemical markers combined with data of methods of imaging of arterial atherosclerotic lesions for evaluation of risk of presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. We enrolled into this study patients (n=205, 136 men, 69 women, age 33-85 years, 94% on statin therapy) who underwent coronary angiography and carotid artery ultrasound dopplerography. Examination included determination of parameters of lipid profile and carbohydrate metabolism, markers of inflammation and metabolism of visceral adipose tissue. The severity of carotid artery atherosclerosis was estimated using mean common carotid artery intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques presence. Severity of coronary atherosclerosis was evaluated using Gensini score. We found association between a number of biomarkers and severity of coronary artery involvement. Presence of coronary atherosclerosis (Gensini score >0) was associated with male sex, carotid artery stenosis >45%, and adiponectin level <8.0 pg/ml. Overt coronary atherosclerosis (Gensini score more or equal 35) significantly correlated with intima-media thickness more or equal 0.9 mm, C-reactive protein level >3.0 mg/l and adiponectin level <8.0 pg/ml.