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Published on: January 28, 2020
The association between growth differentiation factor 15 and presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis
Emrah Ozdemir1, Berna Stavileci1, Bahar Ozdemir2
1Department of Cardiology, Biruni University Faculty of Medicine, Küçükçekmece, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) is linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. Elevated GDF-15 levels independently predict CAD extent and complexity in patients with stable CAD.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomarkers
- Proteomics
Background:
- Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive cytokine.
- GDF-15 levels are elevated in various cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between GDF-15 levels and the extent and severity of CAD.
- To evaluate GDF-15 as a potential predictor of CAD in patients with stable CAD.
Main Methods:
- 129 patients with stable CAD undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled.
- SYNTAX and SYNTAX II scores were calculated to assess CAD severity.
- Patients were stratified into high and low GDF-15 groups based on the mean GDF-15 value.
Main Results:
- GDF-15 levels were significantly higher in patients with CAD (p < 0.001).
- High GDF-15 levels strongly correlated with higher SYNTAX and SYNTAX II scores (p < 0.001).
- Multivariate analysis identified GDF-15 as an independent predictor of CAD.
Conclusions:
- GDF-15 is an independent predictor of CAD.
- GDF-15 levels are significantly associated with the severity of CAD, as indicated by SYNTAX, SYNTAX II PCI, and SYNTAX II CABG scores.
Purpose:
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily and is faintly expressed under healthy conditions. GDF-15 is markedly elevated in a variety of diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Here, we aimed to investigate the association of GDF-15 with the extent and severity of CAD in patients with stable CAD.
Methods:
We enrolled 129 patients undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of stable CAD in the study. SYNTAX and SYNTAX II PCI/CABG scores were calculated. The CAD (+) study group was also stratified into two groups (high and low GDF-15) with respect to the mean GDF-15 value. Correlation and regression analyses were performed for further evaluation.
Results:
Of the 129 patients, 75 had CAD. GDF-15 values were higher in the CAD (+) group (p < 0.001). The two groups were compared according to a cut-off value of 2451.77. SYNTAX and SYNTAX II PCI/CABG scores were significantly associated with the high GDF-15 group (p < 0.001). Additionally, correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between GDF-15 and SYNTAX (r: 0.859, p < 0.001), SYNTAX II PCI (r: 0.921, p < 0.001) and SYNTAX II CABG (r: 0.874, p < 0.001) scores. Multivariate analysis identified GDF-15 as an independent predictor of CAD.
Conclusion:
GDF-15 is an independent predictor of CAD and is associated with CAD severity in terms of SYNTAX, SYNTAX II PCI and SYNTAX II CABG scores.
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