Background: Independent risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) in patients with mild coronary stenosis are uncertain. This study aims to predict high-risk plaques detected by coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) associated with indicative biomarkers.
Methods: Totally 381 patients with mild coronary stenosis were included and MACE incidences were recorded through a 24-month follow-up. Totally 91 high-risk plaques are detected by CCTA, dividing into three plaque groups: high-risk group (HR), intermediate-risk group (IR) and low-risk group (LR). Specific blood biomarker measurements of hs-CRP, MMP-9, and MPO were taken simultaneously.
Results: The mean age, levels of hs-CRP and MPO in HR and IR group were significantly higher than LR group. A considerably higher level of MMP-9 showed in HR group compared to LR group. The incidence rates of MACE were remarkably higher in HR group than LR group and IR group. Kaplan—Meier survival analysis demonstrated that the cumulative event—free survival rate of HR was significantly higher than that in LR and IR group and there were no significant difference between LR and IR group. The univariate COX regression analysis indicated that the age of patients, hs-CRP, MPO, and high-risk plaque scores≥2 were independent risk factors for MACE.
Conclusion: Age, levels of hs-CRP and MPO, and high-risk plaque features informed by CCTA independently predicted MACE in patients with mild coronary stenosis. These results may improve the risk stratification in patients with mild coronary stenosis and suggest strategies for the individualized prevention programs.