Aims: To investigate the association between plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) concentrations, current acute coronary syndrome (ACS), coronary artery disease (CAD) presence, severity and extension and the burden of coronary calcifications in patients with suspected CAD.
Methods And Results: One hundred and one patients, with or without current ACS, were recruited for this cross-sectional study. CAD presence was defined based on either the presence or absence of at least one significant (≥50%) CAD lesion (SCAD). CAD severity was classified according to the absence of coronary lesions, the presence of non-significant (<50%) CAD (MCAD) or SCAD in at least one major coronary artery. Patients with one, two or three significantly diseased major coronary arteries were defined as 1-SCAD, 2-SCAD and 3-SCAD, respectively. The cumulative length of SCAD lesions and the amount of calcifications in coronary arteries were estimated. Plasma PCSK9 concentrations were higher in patients with SCAD as compared to those without (p = .012). A significant increase in plasma PCSK9 concentrations was observed with greater CAD severity (p = .042). Higher plasma PCSK9 concentrations were found in 3-SCAD patients as compared to either 2-SCAD or 1-SCAD (p < .001). PCSK9 increased with the cumulative length of SCAD lesions and the burden of calcifications (p < .05 for both comparisons). Multivariable adjustment abolished the association between PCSK9 and either CAD presence or severity, but not the association between PCSK9 and the number of significantly diseased vessels, SCAD lesion length and the burden of coronary calcifications. ACS was associated with a borderline significant increase of plasma PCSK9 concentrations among patients not taking statins (p = .05).
Conclusion: Circulating PCSK9 concentrations discriminate patients with greater coronary atherosclerotic lesion extension and calcification, and are increased in patients with current ACS.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2019.09.001 | DOI Listing |
Complement Ther Med
January 2025
Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lodz, Poland, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, Poland.
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January 2025
Professor of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Tufts Medical Center, (Tufts University School of Medicine), Boston, MA 02111, USA. Electronic address:
Cardiologists and gastroenterologists often encounter the coexistence of symptoms and functional abnormalities, but determining causation is more difficult. In 1962 Smith and Papp first coined the term "linked angina". Their statement was preceded by the experiment whereby increase in bile duct pressure elicited the typical chest pain in patients with ischemic heart disease.
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Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence RI.
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an infiltrative disease that results from the deposition of amyloid fibrils in the myocardium, resulting in restrictive cardiomyopathy. The amyloid fibrils are predominantly derived from two parent proteins, immunoglobulin light chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR), and ATTR is further classified into hereditary (ATTRv) and wild-type (ATTRwt) based on the presence or absence, respectively, of a mutation in the transthyretin gene. Once thought to be a rare entity, CA is increasingly recognized as a significant cause of heart failure due to improved clinical awareness and better diagnostic imaging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFR I Med J (2013)
February 2025
Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence RI.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, necessitating advancements in diagnostic techniques. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a pivotal non-invasive tool for evaluating coronary artery anatomy and detecting atherosclerotic plaque burden with high spatial resolution. This review explores the evolution of CCTA, highlighting its technological advancements, clinical applications, and challenges.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFR I Med J (2013)
February 2025
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence RI.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This review explores the evolving evidence base surrounding ASCVD prevention, particularly regarding nontraditional biomarkers, risk scores, and cardiovascular imaging modalities. Additionally, this review examines cardiovascular risk scores, including the PREVENT and MESA-CHD scores, which incorporate both traditional and nontraditional factors, thereby aspiring to offer a more equitable and precise risk assessment.
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