Serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels and aortic stiffness in noncritical coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to establish the degree of aortic stiffness and levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in patients with stable ischemic heart disease.


METHODS
Patients who were found to have stable, noncritical lesions on coronary angiography were included in the study [noncritical coronary artery disease (CAD)]. The control group consisted of those patients who had similar risk profiles and metabolic parameters without atherosclerosis on angiography.


RESULTS
A total of 101 patients were included in the study of which 56 had noncritical CAD. Whereas the aortic strain (9.11 ± 3.4 vs. 14.01 ± 4.1%, p < 0.001) and aortic distensibility (3.98 ± 1.9 10(-6) cm(2)/dyn vs. 6.33 ± 2.3 10(-6) cm(2)/dyn, p < 0.001) were lower in the noncritical CAD group, the aortic stiffness index was higher (6.34 ± 3.9 vs. 3.37 ± 2.4, p < 0.001) as compared to controls. Serum NGAL levels were higher in the noncritical CAD group (79.29 ± 38.8 vs. 48.05 ± 21.4 ng/ml, p < 0.001). NGAL levels were negatively correlated with aortic strain (p < 0.01, r = 0.57) and distensibility (p < 0.001, r = 0.62), but positively correlated with the aortic stiffness index (p < 0.001, r = 0.72).


CONCLUSIONS
We show that in patients with noncritical CAD, the degree of aortic stiffness and NGAL levels are higher. These markers can be used as tools for further risk stratification of patients with noncritical CAD.
Department of Cardiology, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Korhan
K
Soylu
Department of Cardiology, Aksaray State Hospital, Aksaray, Turkey.
Gökay
G
Nar
Department of Cardiology, Gazi State Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
Gökhan
G
Aksan
Department of Cardiology, Artvin State Hospital, Artvin, Turkey.
Ömer
Ö
Gedikli
Department of Cardiology, Aksaray State Hospital, Aksaray, Turkey.
Sinan
S
İnci
Department of Cardiology, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Serkan
S
Yuksel
Department of Biochemistry, Aksaray State Hospital, Aksaray, Turkey.
Rukiye
R
Nar
Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Ayşegül
A
İdil Soylu
Department of Cardiology, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Okan
O
Gulel
Department of Cardiology, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Mahmut
M
Şahin
Aortic stiffness; Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin; Stable ischemic heart disease