Serum choline levels in patients with stable angina and acute coronary syndromes: relation to the severity of coronary artery disease

Objective We sought to investigate whether serum choline levels are increased across the spectrum of coronary artery disease (CAD) manifestations and correlate with the severity of coronary stenosis. Methods A total of 36 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) [22 patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS and 14 patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI)], 22 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP), and 18 controls were recruited for the study. In ACS patients, serum choline levels were measured on admission, and at 24 and 48 h thereafter, using high-performance liquid chromatography. The severity of CAD was assessed using the Gensini score. Results Serum choline levels on admission were significantly higher in the entire group of patients with ACS than in controls. The highest level of choline was observed in the STEMI group, followed by the SAP, and the non-ST-segment elevation ACS groups. Serum choline levels decreased gradually in patients with STEMI over the 48-h period. Serum choline levels on admission, and at 24 or 48 h thereafter, did not correlate with the presence of CAD neither in patients with ACS (P = 0.78, 0.98 and 0.98, respectively) nor in those with SAP (P = 0.92). Conclusion Our results suggest that serum choline levels are increased in ACS patients. However, there was no clear correlation between levels of choline and the severity and extent of CAD in this patient group. Coron Artery Dis 21:466-471 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.