Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
The relationship between plasma MMP-1, -7, -8 and -13 levels and embolic potential during carotid endoluminal
C D Bicknell1, D Peck, N M Lau
1Regional Vascular Unit, Imperial College, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK. colin.bicknell@ic.ac.uk
Background:
Patients undergoing carotid endoluminal intervention are at risk of embolic stroke even with the use of distal protection devices. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated as a causal factor in plaque instability leading to spontaneous embolisation. We investigated whether plasma MMP levels correlated with the embolisation during carotid endoluminal intervention.
Methods:
Thirty circumferentially intact carotid endarterectomy specimens were subjected to a standardised angioplasty procedure in a pulsatile ex vivo model. Emboli collected in a series of distal filters were counted and sized. Plasma samples were collected pre-operatively and analysed for MMP-7 and MMP-8 levels using Western immunoblotting. MMP-1 and MMP-13 levels were determined using ELISA. Emboli number and maximum size were correlated with plasma levels of the MMPs using Spearmans rank.
Results:
Total MMP-8 levels were related to maximum embolus size (r=0.442, p=0.005) but not emboli number (r=0.342, p=0.052). MMP-1, -7 and -13 were not correlated with either emboli number or with maximum embolus size.
Conclusion:
Pre-operative plasma MMP-8 levels are related to the size of emboli from plaques during carotid endovascular intervention. Further in vivo studies need to be performed to assess the importance of this finding. There is potential for development of plasma markers to identify those patients at greater risk of embolic stroke during carotid endoluminal intervention.
Insights
Pre-operative plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) correlate with the size of emboli released during carotid endovascular procedures. This finding may help identify patients at higher risk of stroke.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomarkers
- Interventional Neurology
Background:
- Carotid endovascular interventions carry a risk of embolic stroke, despite protective devices.
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are linked to plaque instability and embolization.
- Investigating plasma MMP levels as predictors of embolization during carotid intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the correlation between pre-operative plasma MMP levels and embolization during carotid endovascular intervention.
- To assess the potential of MMPs as biomarkers for identifying patients at increased risk of embolic stroke.
Main Methods:
- Ex vivo carotid endarterectomy specimens underwent standardized angioplasty.
- Emboli were collected and quantified using distal filters.
- Plasma MMP-1, -7, -8, and -13 levels were measured pre-operatively.
- Spearman's rank correlation analyzed the relationship between MMP levels and emboli characteristics.
Main Results:
- Total MMP-8 levels showed a significant correlation with maximum embolus size (r=0.442, p=0.005).
- MMP-8 levels did not significantly correlate with the number of emboli (r=0.342, p=0.052).
- MMP-1, -7, and -13 levels were not correlated with emboli number or size.
Conclusions:
- Pre-operative plasma MMP-8 levels are associated with the size of emboli generated during carotid endovascular intervention.
- MMP-8 shows potential as a predictive biomarker for embolic events in these procedures.
- Further in vivo studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore clinical applications.
More Related Videos
07:25Predicting Amputation using Local Circulating Mononuclear Progenitor Cells in Angioplasty-treated Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia
Published on: September 22, 2020
09:36A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis
Published on: August 12, 2025
