Summary
High levels of thromboxane A2 (TxA2), a key mediator of platelet activation and aggregation,
are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. We aimed at assessing
the predictors of higher plasma levels of TxB2, the stable metabolite of TxA2, in
consecutive patients presenting with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS)
on previous aspirin (ASA) treatment undergoing coronary angiography. 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). In conclusion, NSTE-ACS patients with severe coronary
atherosclerosis may have incomplete suppression of TxA2 production despite chronic
ASA therapy. This finding suggests that additional efforts should be made to lower
TxA2 levels in patients with widespread coronary artery disease.
Keywords
Thromboxane A2 - aspirin - coronary atherosclerosis - non-ST-elevation acute coronary
syndromes