Monocyte-derived circulating microparticles (CD14, CD14/CD11b and CD14/CD142) are related to long-term prognosis for cardiovascular mortality in STEMI patients.

Background: Circulating microparticles (cMPs) have been proposed as novel biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to investigate the prognostic relevance of cMPs for future major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in STEMI patients.

Methods: We included 200 STEMI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). One hundred patients with a primary composite end point (recurrent nonfatal acute MI, rehospitalization for heart failure, unscheduled PCI or death because of CV causes) were case-matched for sex, age, and CVD risk factors to 100 patients without a primary endpoint at the end of study follow-up (4.4 (1.4) years). cMPs from vascular cells were measured by flow cytometer at a mean of 28h after onset of symptoms.

Results: No differences were observed in MP shedding between patients with or without a MACE at the end of the study follow-up. However, compared to patients who survived during follow-up, patients who died because of CV causes (n=24) presented with increased total cMPs (Annexin V-AV-), cMPs carrying tissue factor, and increased MP shedding from platelets, lymphocytes, monocytes, and activated leukocytes, and ~10% lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). ROC-curve analyses showed that monocyte-derived cMPs (CD14/AV, CD11b/CD14/AV and CD142/CD14/AV) considered together with LVEF best predicted cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusions: Monocyte-derived cMPs assessed in the acute phase relate to the prognosis of CV death at the long term. These findings may be of clinical interest in the risk assessment of STEMI patients.