Expression and predictive value of leucine rich α-2 glycoprotein in ischemic heart disease

Abstract Background : The expression and predictive value of leucine rich α-2 glycoprotein (LRG) in ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic total occlusion (CTO), remain unclear.Methods : A total of 231 patients were included and divided into 4 groups: control group (N=39), CAD group (N=73), MI group (N=67) and CTO group (N=52). LRG was determined and compared within groups. MI group was then divided into 2 subgroups according to LRG expression. The association between LRG expression and clinical characteristics, peak Troponin T (TNT), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and in-hospital stay was investigated.Results : LRG expression in MI group was significantly higher than that in control group (37.9±12.8 vs 25.3±8.9, P<0.001). LRG expression in CAD and CTO group were similar with that in control group (CAD vs Con, 23.1±6.8 vs 25.3±8.9, P=0.233; CTO vs Con, 22.0±7.8 vs 25.3±8.9, P=0.082). In MI group, patients with increased LRG had higher peak TNT (4.80 (2.34-10.0) vs 2.46 (0.89-4.98), P=0.002), lower LVEF (48.7±10.2 vs 54.8±8.4, P=0.009) and longer in-hospital stay (10.4±5.4 vs 8.0±2.9, P=0.027). Linear regression showed that LRG was independently associated with in-hospital stay. ROC curve showed the area of LRG under the curve (AUC) was 0.859.Conclusions : LRG expression was elevated in MI patients compared with controls, angiography confirmed CAD and CTO patients. In the MI subgroup, patients with elevated LRG had higher peak TNT, lower LVEF and longer in-hospital stay. Whether LRG is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events and long term prognosis needs further investigation.