Increased plasma levels of soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 in patients with chest pain and angiographically normal coronary arteries

Aims: To assess plasma levels of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, a m arker of endothelial dysfunction, in patients presenting with coronary synd romes submitted to coronary angiography. Methods and results: Plasma levels of soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 were measured by enzymati c immunoabsorbent assay in eight patients with angina-like chest pain and a ngiographically normal coronary arteries; in 14 patients with stable angina and in 18 patients with unstable angina, both with coronary lesions by ang iography, and in 10 healthy volunteers. Levels of soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 were higher in unstable angina patients (1777 +/- 161 SE pg ml(-1)) compared to patients with stable angina (1178 +/- 206 SE pg m l(-1), P<0.05). Moreover, patients with angina-like chest pain and normal c oronary arteries had significantly higher soluble vascular cellular adhesio n molecule-1 levels (2307+/-295 SE pg ml(-1)) compared to stable angina pat ients (P<0.05), but similar levels compared to unstable angina patients. Pa tient groups had higher values of soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecu le-1 compared to the control group (734+/-97 SE pg ml(-1)). Conclusions: In creased levels of soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 are associa ted with coronary artery disease in patients with anatomically established lesions. In patients free of flow-limiting lesions and angina-like chest pa in, high levels of this marker may indicate endothelial dysfunction. (C) 19 99 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.