Regular ArticleChronic dysfunction of the endothelium is associated with mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients

IntroductionPlatelet activation and endothelium dysfunction are determinants of atherothrombosis in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between platelet and endothelial cell activation markers and mortality in patients presenting with ACS.Materials and MethodsPlasma levels of RANTES, Neutrophil Activating Protein-2 (NAP-2), Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), Von Willebrand Factor (VWF), Von Willebrand Factor Propeptide (VWF:pp) and Osteoprotegerin (OPG) were measured in a cohort study of 339 consecutive ACS patients who underwent percutaneous coronary interevention (PCI). The primary endpoint was 4-year mortality.ResultsThere were 46 deaths during the follow up. Median values of VWF (12.2 μg/mL versus 7.86 μg/mL, P = 0.001) and VWF:pp (7.34 nM versus 6.17 nM, P = 0.011) were higher in non-survivors compared to survivors. High levels of OPG were found in 37 patients: 27 of them were survivors (9.2%) and 10 were non-survivors (21.7%, P = 0.011). Kaplan-Meier estimates of mortality for VWF were 7.5% in the first quartile (n = 6 deaths), 12.2% in the second quartile (n = 10 deaths), 11.2% in the third quartile (n = 9 deaths) and 25% in the fourth quartile (n = 21 deaths) of VWF (P = 0.004). There was a 27.8% of probability of mortality when high OPG was measured versus 12.4% when low OPG was measured (P = 0.007). No relationship between baseline platelet activation markers and mortality was found.ConclusionIn patients with ACS undergoing PCI, increased chronic endothelial cell activation and dysfunction is associated with an increased risk of long-term mortality.