Pentraxin 3: A Marker for the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease.

OBJECTIVE

Atherosclerosis, a major contributor to coronary artery disease (CAD), is characterized by chronic arterial inflammation. Pentraxin 3 (PTX-3), a biomarker of inflammation, serves as an indicator of both atherosclerosis and the progression of CAD. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between PTX-3 levels and the presence and severity of CAD, as determined by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

METHOD

In this study, 94 participants (54 with CAD and 40 controls) underwent CCTA and coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) using computed tomography. PTX-3 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. CAD patients were categorized based on CCTA findings and further subdivided into three groups according to their CACS: Group I (CACS < 100), Group II (CACS 100-299), and Group III (CACS ≥ 300).

RESULTS

Serum PTX-3 levels were significantly higher in the CAD group. A PTX3 cut-off value of 5.80 ng/mL predicted CAD with 68% sensitivity and 66% specificity. A strong positive correlation was observed between CACS and PTX-3 levels (r = 0.521, P < 0.001). In high-risk patients with a CACS ≥ 300, PTX-3 levels were significantly higher than those in low- and intermediate-risk groups a CACS < 300. However, no significant difference in PTX-3 levels was observed between the normal coronary group and the low- and intermediate-risk groups. Furthermore, no correlation was found between the degree of coronary artery stenosis and PTX-3 levels.

CONCLUSION

Pentraxin 3 might serve as a valuable biomarker for the diagnosis and severity of CAD.