PF-4var/CXCL4L1 predicts outcome in stable coronary artery disease patients with preserved left ventricular function

PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e31343. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031343. Epub 2012 Feb 23.

Abstract

Background: Platelet-derived chemokines are implicated in several aspects of vascular biology. However, for the chemokine platelet factor 4 variant (PF-4var/CXCL4L1), released by platelets during thrombosis and with different properties as compared to PF-4/CXCL4, its role in heart disease is not yet studied. We evaluated the determinants and prognostic value of the platelet-derived chemokines PF-4var, PF-4 and RANTES/CCL5 in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methodology/principal findings: From 205 consecutive patients with stable CAD and preserved left ventricular (LV) function, blood samples were taken at inclusion and were analyzed for PF-4var, RANTES, platelet factor-4 and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Patients were followed (median follow-up 2.5 years) for the combined endpoint of cardiac death, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, stroke or hospitalization for heart failure. Independent determinants of PF-4var levels (median 10 ng/ml; interquartile range 8-16 ng/ml) were age, gender and circulating platelet number. Patients who experienced cardiac events (n = 20) during follow-up showed lower levels of PF-4var (8.5 [5.3-10] ng/ml versus 12 [8-16] ng/ml, p = 0.033). ROC analysis for events showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% CI 0.73-0.90, p<0.001) for higher NT-proBNP levels and an AUC of 0.32 (95% CI 0.19-0.45, p = 0.009) for lower PF-4var levels. Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that PF-4var has an independent prognostic value on top of NT-proBNP.

Conclusions: We conclude that low PF-4var/CXCL4L1 levels are associated with a poor outcome in patients with stable CAD and preserved LV function. This prognostic value is independent of NT-proBNP levels, suggesting that both neurohormonal and platelet-related factors determine outcome in these patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • Chemokine CCL5 / metabolism
  • Coronary Artery Disease / blood*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / genetics*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical
  • Platelet Factor 4 / genetics*
  • Prognosis
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • ROC Curve
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Function, Left / genetics*

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL5
  • PF4V1 protein, human
  • Platelet Factor 4