Association of serum a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospodin motif 4 levels with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease

Objective A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospodin motif 4 (ADAMTS4) has been shown to be an important player in atherosclerosis. However, the clinical significance of measuring serum ADAMTS4 levels has not been fully elucidated. We therefore investigate whether serum ADAMTS4 levels are associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Serum levels of ADAMTS4 were measured in 192 patients undergoing elective coronary angiography for suspected CAD, the severity of CAD was determined by the number of diseased vessels and the severity score of coronary stenosis. Results Patients with CAD showed significantly higher levels of ADAMTS4 than did patients with normal coronary arteries [57.82 (48.96-70.32) vs. 46.55 (41.16-51.72) ng/ml, P < 0.001]. ADAMTS4 levels increased with the number of diseased vessels (P < 0.05) and significantly associated with severity score of stenosis (r(s) = 0.601, P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, ADAMTS4 levels were found to be independently correlated with the presence and severity of CAD. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that a cut-off of serum ADAMTS4 levels of 51.63 ng/ml could predict CAD with a 76% sensitivity and a 69% specificity. ADAMTS4 levels were significantly lower in patients with statin treatment than in those without it [47.49 (42.30, 57.09) vs. 56.39 (47.05, 68.94) ng/ml, P < 0.05]. Conclusion In conclusion, serum ADAMTS4 levels are associated with the presence and the severity of CAD, ADAMTS4 might serve as an independent factor for predicting CAD. Statin therapy reduces the serum levels of ADAMTS4. Coron Artery Dis 22: 570-576 (C) 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.