Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 associated with stroke or cardiovascular death in patients with carotid stenosis.
BACKGROUND
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 could exhibit an important role in the destabilization of atherosclerotic carotid plaques. We hypothesized that in patients with carotid stenosis, elevated levels of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 are associated with ipsilateral stroke or cardiovascular death.


RESULTS
We followed up 207 patients with > or = 50% carotid stenosis initially for a mean of 4.4 years, during which time 53 patients developed ipsilateral stroke or died of cardiovascular causes. The cumulative incidence of ipsilateral stroke or cardiovascular death was higher in those with matrix metalloproteinase-9 above versus below the median of 41.9 ng/mL (log-rank P=0.002). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 above versus below the median had a hazard ratio for ipsilateral stroke or cardiovascular death of 1.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 3.5); during extended follow-up, this remained significant until 10 years. The absolute risk of ipsilateral stroke or cardiovascular death at 4.4 years was 34% and 17% in those with matrix metalloproteinase-9 above and below the median, respectively. Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 and an echolucent plaque on B-mode ultrasound versus a low matrix metalloproteinase-9 and an echorich plaque had a hazard ratio for ipsilateral stroke or cardiovascular death of 4.4 (95% CI, 1.8 to 11.1) and for ipsilateral stroke of 3.3 (95% CI, 1.1 to 9.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with > or = 50% carotid stenosis were associated with a 2-fold risk of ipsilateral stroke or cardiovascular death. Combining elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 and plaque echolucency was associated with a 4-fold risk for ipsilateral stroke or cardiovascular death and a 3-fold risk for ipsilateral stroke.
Eldrup
Nikolaj
N
Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark.
Grønholdt
Marie-Louise Moes
ML
Sillesen
Henrik
H
Nordestgaard
Børge G
BG
D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology*; D002423:Cause of Death; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9