Serum gamma glutamyl transferase: a novel biomarker for screening of premature coronary artery disease

BackgroundWe aimed to elucidate the association between gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity with prevalence of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in young Pakistani patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography.MethodsA total of 218 young adults (age≤45 years) underwent diagnostic angiography. Serum samples were taken from all the patients and analyzed for serum GGT activity, cholesterol and triglycerides.ResultsCoronary artery disease patients had significantly increased GGT activity (P=.001) and exhibited a significant positive correlation with blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and smoking and negative correlation with total antioxidant status (P<.01).ConclusionThe study revealed good diagnostic accuracy at cutoff of 35 U/L with a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 81%, and diagnostic odds ratio of 48 in estimation of premature CAD in young Pakistanis.