Abstract

Unstable angina pectoris (USAP) is a complex condition in which widespread coronary inflammatory processes have important implications for clearer understanding of its pathogenesis and also its treatment. This study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic as well as prognostic value of serum inflammatory markers of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), Von Willebrand Factor (vWf) and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 13 (CXCL13) in such patients. Out of sixty-nine patients, thirty-nine had USAP, thirty had stable angina pectoris (SAP), and thirty-nine were healthy controls. For all participants, serum PTX-3, vWf and CXCL13 levels were measured using ELISA. For each patient with USAP, the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) and the scores of Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) were calculated to determine the severity of the disease. We, then, analyzed the relation of PTX-3, vWf and CXCL13 levels with TIMI and GRACE scores in patients with USAP. Serum PTX-3, vWf and CXCL13 levels were significantly higher in USAP group than those in either SAP or control groups (p<0.001). Strong correlation was observed between CXCL13 level and TIMI risk score (p=0.019). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (Aug values of PTX3, vWf and CXCL13 for detection of USAP were 0.755, 0.751, and 0.906, respectively. The levels of serum PTX3, vWf and CXCL13 increased in patients with USAP. The notable correlation implied that CXCL13 might be a sensitive and specific biomarker for the diagnosis of USAP as well as its severity. It might also show additional diagnostic values when measured in combination with vWf.