Serum Endocan Levels Are Correlated with the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Hypertension

Abstract

Endothelial dysfunction is one of the most important early indicators of atherosclerosis in hypertension (HT) patients. Endocan has been reported to play a role in the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction. We sought to assess whether serum endocan levels are correlated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with HT. We measured endocan levels in 164 patients with HT and in 55 controls. The severity of CAD was assessed by the coronary atherosclerosis index scores. Serum endocan levels were independently correlated with the presence and severity of CAD in HT patients. Endocan might function as a useful biomarker for monitoring the development and progression of CAD in HT patients.