Predictive value of baseline alpha defensin level in patients with stable coronary artery disease: A retrospective...

Inflammation plays a central role in atherogenesis. The major neutrophilic peptide alpha-defensin is a promising evolving risk factor for atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of alpha-defensin in predicting future major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) occurrence in fully revascularized patients with stable CAD under optimal medical therapy.

We retrospectively examined the prognostic value of baseline plasma alpha-defensin levels in predicting MACE occurrence in 174 fully revascularized patients for stable CAD between March 2016 and January 2017. Alpha-defensin levels were found 20 % higher among demised patients (10,859 pg/ml, IQR [6,920 to 23,320] vs. 9,020 pg/ml, IQR [5,540 to 16,180] pg/ml, P = 0.15). The absolute increase in mortality risk in patients with alpha-defensin levels greater than the median values was 72.5 % (P = 0.33). Log-rank analysis proved both recurrent PCI for de novo lesions (14.9 % and 2.3 %) and the composite of mortality and recurrent PCI for de novo lesions (27.6 % vs. 9.2 %) were significantly related to alpha-defensin values greater than the median (>9200 pg/ml).

Baseline plasma alpha-defensin is an independent predictor of mortality and recurrent PCI among patients with stable CAD. Alpha-defensin may evolve as a promising factor in cardiovascular risk assessment beyond traditional risk factors. Targeting alpha-defensin to ameliorate MACE occurrence should be addressed in future studies.