title: Predictors of circulating endothelial progenitor cell levels in patients without known coronary artery disease referred for multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have an important role in vascular repair. Levels in peripheral circulation are thought to be related to overall cardiovascular risk and may represent potential therapeutic targets. The aim of this work is to identify predictors of circulating EPC concentrations in patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 215 patients without known CAD referred for multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography (CTA) during a 6-month period. All patients underwent: 1) short anamnesis; 2) anthropometric measurements; 3) blood pressure and heart rate assessment; 4) blood tests; and 5) MDCT (including quantification of visceral fat, quantification of coronary artery calcification [CAC] and CTA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients' mean age was 58±11 years (26-84) and 61% were male. Dyslipidemia (59%) and hypertension (57%) were the most prevalent risk factors. Twenty-seven percent met the ATP III criteria for metabolic syndrome. Mean Framingham risk score was 12±9%. Sixty-seven percent had no significant CAD but 64% had some degree of coronary calcification. The mean CAC (Agatston) was 186±433. Mean EPC concentration, expressed as a percentage of total white blood cells, was 0.05±0.08% (0.0-0.58%). EPCs were inversely related to the presence of diabetes mellitus and smoking, and positively related to C-reactive protein. No significant correlations were found between EPCs and other risk factors, measurements of adiposity, atherosclerotic burden or severity of CAD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients without known CAD referred for MDCT, EPC levels in peripheral blood cannot be significantly estimated or predicted from knowledge of patient anamnesis, risk factors, visceral fat, CAC or CTA.
authors: Cardiology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. bettencourt.n@gmail.com
authors: Nuno
authors: N
authors: Bettencourt
authors: Susana
authors: S
authors: Oliveira
authors: Andre Michael
authors: AM
authors: Toschke
authors: João
authors: J
authors: Rocha
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Leite
authors: Mónica
authors: M
authors: Carvalho
authors: Sónia
authors: S
authors: Xará
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Schuster
authors: Amedeo
authors: A
authors: Chiribiri
authors: Adelino
authors: A
authors: Leite-Moreira
authors: Eike
authors: E
authors: Nagel
authors: Helena
authors: H
authors: Alves
authors: Vasco
authors: V
authors: Gama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D042783:Endothelial Cells; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013234:Stem Cells