Correlation Of Plasma Soluble ST2 Levels With Severity And Stability Of Coronary Atherosclerosis

PurposeIn this study,our aim was to investigate the relationship between plasma soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2(sST2)levels and the severity,stability of angiographically-detected coronary artery disease(CAD)and complexity of atherosclerotic lesions.Patients and methodsWe included 204 patients of whom 87 had acute coronary syndrome(ACS),61 stable angina pectoris(SAP),and 56 control subjects and everyone underwent coronary angiography(CAG)in our cardiological department under the suspected diagnosis of CAD between October 2014 and July 2018.Patients with ACS and SAP were divided into simple or complex according to the complexity of atherosclerotic lesions.Plasma levels of sST2 were measured by ELISAs and Gensini scores were calculated.All data collected were statistical analyzed.ResultsOur results showed that plasma sST2 levels significantly elevated in patients with CAD compared with the control group(P<0.001).Levels of sST2 in patients with ACS were significantly higher than those of SAP(P =0.002)and control subjects(P<0.001).Plasma sST2 levels in patients with ACS and a complex lesion were significantly higher than those with a simple lesion(P=0.001).There was a weak positive correlation between plasma sST2 levels and the severity of CAD,as determined with Gensini score(r=0.239,P=0.001).Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that angiographically-detected complex lesions and serum TNI levels were independently correlated with plasma ST2 levels(angiographic detection of complex or simple lesions: standardized coefficient beta=0.242,P=0.003;serum TNI levels: standardized coefficient beta=0.283,P=0.001).The area under ROC curve of sST2 for the diagnosis of ACS and a complex lesion was 0.713(P=0.001).ConclusionPlasma sST2 levels are weakly correlated with the stenosis severity of angiographically-detected coronary atherosclerosis.We further demonstrate there is a relationship between plasma sST2 levels and complex coronary lesion morphology especially in patients with unstable coronary artery disease.It can be used as a new possible marker to assess the severity and complexity of atherosclerotic plaques for potential clinical benefits.