The Relationship Between Gamma‐Glutamyl Transferase Levels and Coronary Plaque Burdens and Plaque Structures in Young Adults With Coronary Atherosclerosis. Issue 9 (5th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Celik, Omer; Cakmak, Huseyin Altug; Satilmis, Seckin; Gungor, Baris; Akin, Fatih; Ozturk, Derya; Yalcin, Ahmet Arif; Ayca, Burak; Erturk, Mehmet; Atasoy, Mehmet Mahir; Uslu, Nevzat
• Is Part Of: Clinical cardiology. Volume 37:Issue 9(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 552
• Page End: 557
• Publication Date: 2014-09-05
• Subjects: Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.1002/clc.22307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-9289

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="clc22307-abs-0001"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="clc22307-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p id="clc22307-para-0001">Elevated gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels have been demonstrated to be associated with poor prognoses in patients with coronary artery disease. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a noninvasive imaging modality that may differentiate the structure of coronary plaques. Elevated plaque burdens and noncalcified plaques, detected by CCTA, are important predictors of atherosclerosis in young adults.</p> </sec> <sec id="clc22307-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Hypothesis</title> <p id="clc22307-para-0002">The present study investigated the possible relationship between GGT levels and coronary plaque burdens/structures in young adults with coronary atherosclerosis.</p> </sec> <sec id="clc22307-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p id="clc22307-para-0003">CCTA images of 259 subjects were retrospectively examined, and GGT levels were compared between patients with coronary plaques and individuals with normal coronary arteries. Coronary plaques, detected by CCTA, were categorized as noncalcified, calcified, and mixed, according to their structures. The significant independent predictors of coronary atherosclerosis were also analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.</p> </sec> <sec id="clc22307-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p id="clc22307-para-0004">GGT levels were significantly higher in patients with coronary plaque formation than in controls (35.7 ± 14.7 vs 19.6 ± 10.0 U/L; <italic>P</italic> < 0.001). GGT levels were also positively correlated with the number of plaques; presence of noncalcified plaques; and levels of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), hemoglobin A1c, uric acid, and triglycerides. Moreover, smoking and levels of GGT, hs‐CRP, uric acid, and low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were independent predictors of coronary atherosclerosis.</p> </sec> <sec id="clc22307-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p id="clc22307-para-0005">GGT is an inexpensive and readily available marker that provides additional risk stratification beyond that provided by conventional risk factors for predicting coronary plaque burdens and plaque structures in young adults.</p> </sec> </abstract>