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Published on: November 24, 2014
Evaluation of Plasma Thrombomodulin in Patients with Coronary Slow Flow
Yong Wang1, Peng-Yu Jia, Bao-Jun Chen
1Department of Cardiology, The People's Hospital of China Medical University, The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.
Insights
Elevated plasma thrombomodulin (TM) levels are linked to coronary slow flow (CSF), a condition associated with serious cardiac events. This suggests TM may be a key factor and potential predictor in the development of CSF.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Coronary slow flow (CSF) is linked to adverse cardiac events like myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death.
- Atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction are implicated in CSF pathogenesis.
- Elevated plasma thrombomodulin (TM) is potentially involved in atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma thrombomodulin (TM) levels and coronary slow flow (CSF).
- To test the hypothesis that higher plasma TM levels correlate with CSF.
Main Methods:
- The study included 52 patients with angiographically confirmed CSF and 44 controls.
- Coronary flow velocity was assessed using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count method.
- Plasma TM levels were measured in all participants.
Main Results:
- Plasma TM levels were significantly higher in the CSF group (3.9 ± 0.5 ng/mL) than in the control group (3.6 ± 0.3 ng/mL).
- A positive correlation was observed between plasma TM level and mean TIMI frame count (r = 0.31, p = 0.002).
- Plasma TM level and red cell distribution width were identified as factors associated with mean TIMI frame count in regression analysis.
Conclusions:
- Patients with CSF exhibit higher plasma TM levels.
- Elevated plasma TM may contribute to the pathogenesis of CSF and could serve as a predictor.
- Further research is warranted to validate these findings.
Background:
It has been reported that coronary slow flow (CSF) is associated with acute myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and even sudden cardiac death. Although studies concerning the etiopathogenesis of CSF are scarce, diffuse atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction are thought to play important roles. It has been suggested that a high plasma thrombomodulin (TM) level seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.
Objectives:
We hypothesized that a high plasma TM level might be associated with CSF and aimed to research the relationship between plasma TM level and CSF.
Methods:
Fifty-two CSF patients with angiographically proven CSF and 44 cases with normal coronary flow were included in this study. Coronary flow velocity was determined by the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count method. Plasma TM levels were measured in all the study subjects.
Results:
Plasma TM levels were significantly higher in the CSF group compared to the control group (3.9 ± 0.5 vs. 3.6 ± 0.3 ng/mL, p = 0.01). There was a positive relationship (r = 0.31, p = 0.002) between plasma TM level and mean TIMI frame count (TFC). Factors associated with mean TFC were plasma TM level (β = 0.206, p = 0.038) and red cell distribution width (β = 0.088, p = 0.009) in multiple linear regression analysis.
Conclusions:
Patients with CSF have a higher plasma TM level, and this may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CSF. An elevated plasma TM level may be a predictor of CSF. Future studies are needed to confirm these results.
