[Correlation between cystatin C and properties and features of coronary plague]

To explore the correlation between cystatin C (Cys C) and properties and features of coronary plague using 256-slice coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

From January 2013 to October 2013, a total of 184 patients with suspected coronary artery disease undergoing CTA for coronary artery lesions were enrolled. Based on the results of cystatin C levels, they were divided into normal Cys C concentration group ( ≤ 0.95 mg/L) and high Cys C concentration group (>0.95 mg/L). Based on the results of CTA, they were divided into single-vessel, 2-vessel and 3-vessel groups according to the number of diseased coronary arteries. And they were divided into mild stenosis (<50%), moderate stenosis ( ≥ 50%, <75%) and severe stenosis ( ≥ 75%) groups according to the severity of coronary artery disease. The Hounsfield units were used to determine the soft, fibrous and calcified plaques for assessing the relationship between cystatin C levels and narrow severity score, pathological changes limits, plague properties.

There were 95 with normal concentrations of Cys C and 89 with high concentrations of Cys C. A total of 1 112 plaques were detected and those with high concentrations of Cys C showed a higher proportion of non-calcified plaque (13.5% vs 8.8%, P < 0.01) compared with normal group. The proportion of those with 1-vessel disease was lower (22.5% vs 37.9%, P < 0.05) but 3-vessel disease higher (48.3% vs 33.7%, P < 0.05) than in normal group. Multiple Logistic regression analysis revealed that high Cys C was a significant risk factor for multi-vessel disease (OR = 17.483, 95%CI:2.218-143.627; P < 0.01).

For patients with coronary artery lesions, a high level of Cys C may be associated with severity of coronary atherosclerosis and plaque instability.