Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 levels and aortic valve calcification: A prospective, cross sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible association between plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and the incidence and severity of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD).


METHODS
This prospective, cross sectional study involved patients with and without (controls) aortic valve calcification diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and dual source computed tomography (DSCT) scan. Aortic valves calcification scores were calculated from DSCT scans and patients were graded: grade 1, no calcification; grade 2, mildly calcified; grade 3, moderately calcified; grade 4, heavily calcified. Plasma PCSK9 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Forty patients were grade 1 (controls), 32 were grade 2, 48 were grade 3 and 32 were grade 4. Plasma levels of PCSK9 were significantly different between the four groups and the highest value was observed in the patients with grade 2 calcification. Only low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein (Lp)(a) were associated with the severity of CAVD. Regression analysis showed that age, Lp(a) and PCSK9 were independent predictors of CAVD.


CONCLUSIONS
Data from this cross sectional study in a small sample of patients showed that plasma PCSK9 was correlated with the presence of CAVD but not its severity.
Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Wen-Guang
WG
Wang
Department of Anaesthesiology, Weinan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Weinan, Shanxi Province, China.
Yong-Feng
YF
He
School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Yuan-Li
YL
Chen
Tianjin Cardiovascular Disease Research Institute, Tianjin, China.
Fu-Mei
FM
Zhao
Tianjin Cardiovascular Disease Research Institute, Tianjin, China.
Yan-Qiu
YQ
Song
Department of Radiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Hong
H
Zhang
Department of Radiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Yan-He
YH
Ma
Department of Echocardiography, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Xin
X
Guan
Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Wen-Ya
WY
Zhang
Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Xiao-Lin
XL
Chen
Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Chao
C
Liu
Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China hongliangcong@126.com.
Hong-Liang
HL
Cong
D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
C472125:PCSK9 protein, human; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9
Calcific aortic valve disease; LDL cholesterol; dual-source computed tomography; lipoprotein (a); proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9