Potential Role of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 as Predictors of Cad Progression and Severity

Introduction: Endothelial activation and inflammation are recognized as major contributors to the initial step of plaque formation in atherosclerosis. The purpose of this work was to determine if markers of endothelial activation, such as soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1 and vascular adhesion molecule (sVCAM)-1, are able to monitoring coronary artery disease (CAD) progression and severity in patients enrolled in SMARTool project (PHC30, GA 689068).
Methods: Sixty-three patients, with a previous blood sampling and coronary CT scan, were enrolled. This population performed a new blood sampling and a second CT scan at 6.2±1.1 years follow-up time (FUP) in order to identify CAD progression (plaque stenosis >20% between baseline and FUP). Patients were then divided in two groups according to non obstructive (stenosis <50%) or obstructive (stenosis >50%) lesion progression. sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were measured in plasma samples by ELISA kits.
Results: Among our 63 patients, 9 were no CAD and 54 were CAD, 41 of which with non obstructive and 13 with obstructive plaques. Baseline plasma sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with obstructive CAD versus no CAD disease (sICAM-1, 247±95 vs 172±54 ng/mL, p=0.049 and sVCAM-1, 594±105 vs 506±65 ng/mL p=0.042, respectively). Among 54 CAD patients, 39 had disease progression with FUP sVCAM-1 levels significantly increased in obstructive (n=7) compared to non obstructive CAD (sVCAM-1, 683±105 ng/mL vs 577±108, p=0.028).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations may predict the disease severity and may identify CAD progression into obstructive lesions.