Lucas L. Geyer MD, Presenter: Speaker, General Electric Company

Balazs Ruzsics, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Aleksander Krazinski, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Justin R. Silverman, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christopher L. Schlett MD, MPH, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

U. Joseph Schoepf MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Grant, Bracco Group Research Grant, General Electric Company Research Consultant, Siemens AG Research Grant, Siemens AG

Ullrich Ebersberger MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Fabian Bamberg MD, MPH, Abstract Co-Author: Speakers Bureau, Bayer AG Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG Research Grant, Bayer AG Research Grant, Siemens AG

Maximilian F. Reiser MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michael R. Zile MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

We aimed at correlating the plasma levels of several novel circulating biomarkers of atherosclerotic disease activity and myocardial remodeling with quantitative imaging markers of coronary heart disease obtained by coronary CT angiography (cCTA).

In an IRB-approved, HIPAA compliant study, 75 patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent contrast enhanced, retrospectively ECG-gated coronary dual-source CT angiography. Patients were evaluated for the type of coronary plaque and the presence and severity of coronary artery stenosis on a per patient and per segment basis. Semi-automated software was used for measuring the volume of non-calcified and mixed plaques; lipid-rich and fibrous contents were differentiated. Cardiac function parameters were obtained using cine CT reconstructions across the RR cycle. Plasma samples were collected from each patient and a cytokine and protease profiling panel was performed by multiplex analysis. The plasma concentrations of seven biomarkers with a reported relationship with atherosclerosis and myocardial remodeling were measured: TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney-U-Test.

Data of 61 men and 14 women (59±10 years) were evaluated. 60/75 patients showed atherosclerotic changes in at least one vessel based on cCTA. 34/75 had significant (>50%) stenosis in at least one coronary artery. 46 non-calcified, 129 calcified, and 86 mixed plaques were identified. We found a statistically significant (p<0.05) positive correlation between the plasma concentrations of MMP-8 and the lipid-rich, fibrous, and total atherosclerotic plaque volume per patient. Moreover, IL-8 and TNFα showed a significant (p<0.05) positive correlation with myocardial mass. Patients with diabetes mellitus showed significantly lower levels of MMP-7 (2.9±1.6ng, 4.9±3.0ng, p<0.05). MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 did not show any significant correlations.

Our study suggests that elevated levels of MMP-8 are associated with greater atherosclerotic plaque volume at cCTA. Moreover, IL-8 and TNFα may indicate more active myocardial remodeling with higher myocardial mass at CT.

Integration of quantitative cardiac CT imaging with novel serum biomarkers of atherosclerosis and myocardial remodeling may enhance insights into the patho-mechanisms of coronary heart disease.

Geyer, L, Ruzsics, B, Krazinski, A, Silverman, J, Schlett, C, Schoepf, U, Ebersberger, U, Bamberg, F, Reiser, M, Zile, M, Serum Biomarkers of Atherosclerosis and Myocardial Remodeling: Correlation with Quantitative Imaging Markers of Coronary Heart Disease at Cardiac CT.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13018375.html