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

Abstract

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.