Pericardial SCUBE1 levels may help predict postoperative results in patients operated on for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Introduction: Signal peptide-CUB epidermal growth factorlike domain-containing protein (SCUBE1) is a newly described, secretable and measurable cellular surface protein associated with atherosclerotic lesions in humans, which may be involved in hypertension and cardiovascular pathologies. We aimed to detect normal SCUBE1 levels in pericardial fluid and investigate the effects of SCUBE1 values on postoperative outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Methods: Between February 2016 and March 2017, 184 consecutive patients were included in the study. Group 1 consisted of patients with unstable angina pectoris, group 2 of patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, group 3 of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and group 4 consisted of patients operated on due to non-coronary reasons. Pericardial fluid and arterial blood SCUBE1 values, demographic variables and postoperative results were noted and compared.

Results: Normal SCUBE1 level in pericardial fluid was 0.049 ± 0.061 ng/ml. Arterial SCUBE1 levels of smokers were higher. Pericardial SCUBE1 levels were higher in patients requiring postoperative intra-aortic balloon pump support and patients needing peri-operative temporary cardiac pacing. High pericardial SCUBE1 values did not correlate with postoperative stroke, prolonged intensive care unit stay and mortality.

Conclusions: High levels of pericardial SCUBE1 may help us predict the need for postoperative intra-aortic balloon pump support and the need for temporary cardiac pacing, however they were not helpful in predicting prolonged intensive care unit stay and early postoperative mortality.