Elevated serum sortilin is related to carotid plaque concomitant with calcification

Aim: To explore whether elevated serum sortilin was associated with calcified carotid plaque and ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 171 patients with cardiovascular risk factors were enrolled. Ultrasonography was performed to evaluate calcified plaques and noncalcified plaques. Serum sortilin concentration was measured by ELISA. Results: Serum sortilin level was higher in patients with calcified carotid plaque and positively related to carotid plaque burden, but not with ischemic stroke during the follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed serum sortilin level was an independent determinant for calcified carotid plaque (p = 0.001). Receiving operating characteristic analysis showed an area under the curve of sortilin for carotid calcification was 0.759. Conclusion: Higher serum sortilin level was associated with carotid calcification and severe carotid plaque score.