PCSK9 and coronary atherosclerosis progression beyond LDL-cholesterol in coronary artery disease patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study evaluated whether plasma PCSK9 is associated with coronary plaque progression in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and assessed its involvement in molecular processes of atherogenesis.

Methods

Plasma PCSK9 was measured in 159 patients with stable CAD submitted to coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) at baseline and after a follow-up of 6.5 ± 1.1 years. Plaque progression was defined as the annual increase in Total, Fibrous, Fibro-fatty, Necrotic-Core and Dense-Calcium plaque volumes (PV). Pathways linked with PCSK9 were studied by RNA-sequencing of whole blood and in vitro studies using endothelial cells (EC).

Results

At multivariable analysis, plasma PCSK9 was associated with an annual increase in Necrotic-Core PV (p = .022)

SUBMITTER: Ragusa R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12517242 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature