Effect of serum YKL-40 on coronary collateral development and SYNTAX score in stable coronary artery disease

ObjectiveMany studies have revealed a role of YKL-40 as a new inflammatory biomarker in angiogenesis, inflammation, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum YKL-40 level with coronary collateral development and SYNTAX score in patients with stable coronary artery disease.MethodsA total of 165 patients who had ≥ 90% stenosis in at least one major coronary artery were prospectively enrolled in the study. Collateral degree was graded according to Rentrop-Cohen classification. Patients with grade 2 or 3 collateral degree were included in good collateral group and patients with grade 0 or 1 collateral degree were included in poor collateral group. The patients were also classified according to SYNTAX criteria, those with low (≤ 22) and those with high (> 22) SYNTAX score.ResultsSerum YKL-40 and hs-CRP levels were significantly lower in good collateral group. Furthermore, YKL-40 level showed significant positive correlations with SYNTAX score (r = 0.486, p < 0.001) and hs-CRP level (r = 0.340, p < 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, serum YKL-40 (odds ratio: 0.928; 95% confidence interval: 0.917-0.940; p < 0.001), duration of ischemic symptom and total occlusion were independent predictors of good collateral development. In ROC curve analysis, a YKL-40 value cut-off point of ≥ 168.5 predicted the high SYNTAX score with a sensitivity of 81.0% and specificity of 72.4%.ConclusionsIncreased serum YKL-40 level was related with poor collateral development and high SYNTAX score. According to these findings YKL-40 can be used as a predictor of good collateral development and high SYNTAX score.