The value of serum osteoprotegerin levels in patients with angina like chest pain undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily.Recent evidence supports a relationship between serum OPG level and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association of OPG with the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD), its severity and prognosis in patients with chest pain and suspected coronary stenosis.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional analytic study, 180 candidates of elective coronary artery angiography were recruited. Serum level of OPG was measured by ELISA method in all patients and its relation with presence and severity of CAD based on a coronary atherosclerosis score (CAS) was assessed. Patients were followed for a mean period of about 24 ± 3.2 months and the relationship between OPG levels and future cardiac events were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean serum level of OPG was 1637 ± 226 pg/mL in those with CAD and 1295 ± 185 pg/mL (nonparametric p = 0.001) in those without it. There was a significant direct correlation between the level of serum OPG and CAS (rho = 0.225, p = 0.002). The optimalcut-off point for predicting a significant coronary artery obstruction was a serum level of≥ 1412 pg/mL with a sensitivity and specificity of 60% and 57.8%, respectively. Major adversecardiac events (MACE) including cardiovascular death, admission with acute coronary syndrome,or heart failure, was significantly higher in those with higher OPG levels (22 [34.3%]vs. 15 [16%], p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a direct and significant correlation between the serum level of OPG and CAS. MACE occurred more commonly in those with higher baseline OPG levels.