The relationship between inflammatory factors and major adverse cardiovascular events in atherosclerosis coronary artery ectasia: a prospective, cohort study.

Background: To investigate the relationship among high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15, corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in atherosclerosis coronary artery ectasia (CAE).

Materials and methods: One hundred and sixty-five CAE patients were included. All candidates were divided into symptomatic (107) and asymptomatic (58). Serum hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-9 and GDF-15 were detected. Coronary artery blood flow velocity was evaluated by corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC). The relationship among inflammatory marker levels, CTFC, and clinical symptoms was analysed. The MACEs were recorded during a 2-year follow-up.

Results: Symptomatic atherosclerosis CAE manifested male gender, more hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking than asymptomatic compartments. These patients demonstrated higher serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-9 and GDF-15 than those of asymptomatic compartments (p < 0.05, respectively). The CTFC in symptomatic atherosclerosis CAE was lower than that of asymptomatic ones (p < 0.05, respectively). More MACEs occurred in symptomatic than in asymptomatic atherosclerosis CAE during the 2-year follow-up (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Male gender, hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking are more frequent in symptomatic atherosclerosis CAE. Hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-9 and GDF-15 have a positive correlation with symptoms and CTFC in atherosclerosis CAE and are predictors of MACEs during 2-year follow-up.