Plasma Soluble Adhesion Molecule Levels in Coronary Artery Ectasia

Abstract

Background:Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as localized or diffuse dilatation of the coronary arteries. There are scarce data about the role of inflammation in CAE. In the present study, the plasma soluble adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) levels in CAE were investigated. Methods: The study population (n = 67) consisted of four groups. Group 1: patients with normal coronary artery (NCA); group 2: patients with isolated ectasia without stenotic lesion; group 3: patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD) without CAE; group 4: patients with both OCAD and CAE. Results: Plasma concentrations of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were higher in patients with isolated ectasia than in cases with NCA (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Compared with OCAD patients, patients with CAE had significantly elevated concentrations of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 of the CAE and OCAD group were higher than in patients in the OCAD group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). We detected a positive correlation between the presence of CAE and the levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed a significant independent relation between the presence of CAE and ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Conclusion: We found elevated plasma levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in patients with CAE and OCAD + CAE compared with subjects with NCA and OCAD. These data strongly suggest that more severe vascular wall inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of CAE.

Pathogenetic mechanisms of coronary ectasia

“…A significant positive correlation between the levels of these adhesion molecules and the length of vascular segments with ectasia was also found [47]. Higher levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were also noted in cases with a combination of ectasia and obstructive coronary artery disease [48].…”

Coronary Artery Ectasia in Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease, Inflammatory Disorders, and Sickle Cell Disease

“…The inflammatory component has been reported in multiple papers. Among different inflammatory markers, there is an increased expression of different adhesion molecules, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin, which facilitate the attachment and transmigration of the neutrophils and mononuclear cells across the vascular endothelial layer [31,32]. These leukocytes initiate the inflammatory process that causes the characteristic destruction of the vascular media where smooth muscles are replaced by hyalinized collagen [30].…”

Assessment of the relationship between coronary artery ectasia and erectile function score

“…This study showed that CAE was associated with inflammatory response presented as elevated inflammatory cytokines and differential leukocytes. Yilmaz et al 39 found that patients with isolated CAE had raised levels of plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E selectin in comparison with patients with obstructive CAD without CAE and control subjects with normal coronary arteries, suggesting the presence of a more severe and extensive chronic inflammation in the coronary circulation in these patients.…”