title: Relationship of cystatin C with coronary artery disease and its severity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cystatin C, which is an endogenous marker for renal function, is reported to be a novel marker for coronary atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate its role in determining the presence and also the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-eight patients who underwent elective coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. Patients with heart failure, renal failure, diabetes, and thyroid disease were excluded from the study. The study population was divided into three groups: individuals with normal coronary arteries, patients with critical CAD, and patients with noncritical CAD. We also analyzed the relationship of cystatin C levels with the presence and the severity of CAD and the number of vessels involved.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the study group was 51.73±9.21 years, and the majority were men (n=71, 80.7%). Cystatin C levels were significantly lower in patients with CAD (1334.86±93.45 vs. 836.49±411.29, P<0.001). It was significantly lower in patients with critical CAD compared with those with noncritical CAD and normal individuals (656.60±346.35, 1016.38±396.54, and 1334.86±393.45, P<0.001, respectively). Serum levels of cystatin C according to the numbers of coronary vessels such as none, single-vessel, two-vessel, three-vessel, and four-vessel disease were as follows: 1334.86±393.45, 801.67±418.70, 993.90±457.34, 744.09±354.53, and 682.30±294.43, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower cystatin C levels may be associated with increased severity of CAD in clinically stable patients, whereas higher levels may indicate the presence of any vulnerable plaque. It may also guide the diagnostic and therapeutic options for the clinical scene on the presentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Turkish Military Academy Primary Care Center, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yusuf C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Doganer
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Aydogan
authors.forename: Aydogan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aydogdu
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aparci
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akbulut
authors.forename: Polat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nerkiz
authors.forename: Turker
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turker
authors.forename: Tuncer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cayci
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barcin
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saglam
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055316:Cystatin C / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D055316:Cystatin C