Biomedical Research

Background: Growing evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in the pathophysiology of Slow Coronary Flow (SCF). This study investigated the association between endothelial biomarkers endocan and soluble Thrombomodulin (sTM) and SCF.

Methods: The study population consisted of 89 subjects (54 patients with SCF and 35 controls). Coronary flow rate was assessed using the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Frame Count (TFC) method. The serum endocan and sTM levels of all subjects were analysed.

Results: Significantly higher endocan levels (1.14 ± 0.22 vs. 0.96 ± 0.32 ng/ml; p=0.009) and sTM levels (657.06 ± 198.18 vs. 592.76 ± 128.45 pg/ml; p=0.119) were observed in the SCF group relative to the control group. A positive correlation was detected between endocan and TFC (r=0.563; p=0.016). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed endocan as a predictor of SCF.

Conclusions: The endocan level in SCF patients was significantly higher than in controls and the sTM level was also increased, although the difference was not significant. These results suggest that endocan may serve as a biomarker to predict SCF.

Author(s): Sadettin Selcuk Baysal, Sahbender Koc, Bedri Caner Kaya, Ahmet Gunes, Naime Meric Konar, Ibrahim Halil Altiparmak
Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this