Smartest Doc
Predictors of thromboxane levels in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes on chronic aspirin therapy
Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 07/06/2012
Clinical Article
Niccoli G et al. – This finding suggests that additional efforts should be made to lower thromboxane A2 (TxA2) levels in patients with widespread coronary artery disease.
Methods- Ninety–eight consecutive patients (age 61 ± 11, 75% males) with NSTE–ACS, on previous chronic ASA treatment, were prospectively enrolled in this study.
- Coronary disease extent was assessed by angiography according to the Bogaty score.
- In all patients, admission plasma levels of TxB2 (pg/ml) were measured by enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay, and patients showing TxB2 levels in the fourth quartile were compared to patients showing TxB2 levels in the lower quartiles.
- Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that platelet count (odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.63, p=0.04), multivessel coronary disease (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.13–3.67, p=0.03), and coronary atherosclerosis extent index (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.45–6.79, p=0.001) were independent predictors of TxB2 level upper quartile.
- Of note, C–reactive protein serum levels were similar in patients with TxB2 levels in the upper quartile as compared to those in the lower quartiles (p=0.49).