Analysis of novel cardiovascular biomarkers in patients with peripheral artery disease

BACKGROUND: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common form of manifestation of atherosclerosis. PAD has a considerable impact on morbidity, hospitalization rates and health-care costs. Biomarkers have been introduced in many cardiovascular disease entities over the last years. However, an analysis on the correlation of biomarker levels and PAD is still lacking. METHODS: A total of 106 patients were enrolled in this current study, 51 that were diagnosed with PAD and 55 with excluded coronary and peripheral artery disease as controls. During outpatient visits, plasma samples of all patients were obtained and analyzed for sST2 (hemodynamics and inflammation), galectin-3 (fibrosis and remodeling), GDF-15 (remodeling and inflammation), suPAR (inflammation), and fetuin-A (vascular calcification) by use of ELISA after informed consent. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients with PAD showed significantly higher levels of sST2 (5248 vs. 7503 pg/mL, P<0.001), suPAR (2267 vs. 2414 pg/mL, P=0.02), galectin-3 (2795 vs. 4494 pg/mL, P<0.001), and GDF-15 (549 vs. 767 pg/mL, P<0.001). Fetuin-A showed a trend towards lower levels in patients with PAD (117 vs. 100 ng/mL, P=0.119). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating levels of sST2, suPAR, galectin-3, and GDF-15 were significantly elevated in PAD patients. In contrast, fetuin-A levels showed a decrease in PAD patients indicating increased vascular calcification. Thus, by incorporating different pathophysiological processes present in PAD, tested novel biomarkers facilitate a more precise diagnosis as well as a more accurate evaluation of disease severity and progression.