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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
Plasma levels of copeptin in patients with coronary heart disease
San Bao Chai1, Yong Ming Hui, Xue Min Li
1Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Beijing Fengtai Hospital, Beijing, PR China. chaisb@126.com
Insights
Plasma copeptin levels are elevated in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients and increase significantly after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stent procedures. This suggests vasopressin system activation, indicating copeptin
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a significant global health concern.
- The role of the vasopressin system in cardiovascular disease requires further elucidation.
- Copeptin, a surrogate marker for vasopressin, may offer insights into disease activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in plasma copeptin levels in patients with CHD.
- To assess the impact of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stent therapy on plasma copeptin.
- To explore the potential of copeptin as a biomarker for CHD and therapeutic response.
Main Methods:
- Plasma copeptin levels were measured using radioimmunoassay (RIA).
- Study included 21 patients with CHD and 12 age-matched healthy controls.
- Statistical analyses included Chi-square test, Student's t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated plasma copeptin levels were observed in CHD patients compared to controls (43.07 ± 17.08 vs 11.13 ± 5.73 pmol/l, P < 0.01).
- Copeptin levels increased by 60% one day post-PTCA and stent (68.71 ± 16.81 pmol/l, P < 0.05).
- Levels decreased by days 3 and 7 but remained significantly higher than controls (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- The vasopressin system is activated in patients with CHD, as indicated by elevated copeptin levels.
- PTCA and stent therapy lead to a transient but significant increase in plasma copeptin.
- Plasma copeptin activation may serve as a potential risk factor and indicator for early intervention in CHD.
Abstract:
The present study was undertaken to investigate alteration in plasma levels of copeptin, a stable fragment derived from provasopressin, in patients with coronary heart disease. We measured plasma level of copeptin in 21 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 12 age-matched healthy subjects by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Chi-square test, Student's t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analyses. Correlations between variables were tested by simple linear regression analysis. The plasma level of copeptin was significantly increased in patients (43.07 +/- 17.08 vs 11.13 +/- 5.73 pmol/l in controls, P < 0.01) and was further increased, by 60%, to 68.71 +/- 16.81 pmol/l on day 1 after therapy with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stent (P < 0.05). On days 3 and 7 after therapy, the levels were greatly decreased, to 38.82 +/- 19.00 and 32.10 +/- 14.00 pmol/l, respectively, from that before therapy (all P < 0.05) but were higher, by 249% and 188%, respectively, than that of controls (all P < 0.01). The results suggest that the vasopressin system is activated in patients with CHD as indicated by changes in copeptin level, especially after PTCA and stent therapy. As a potential risk factor for CHD, plasma copeptin activation might have important clinical significance in terms of early intervention in patients with CHD.
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