Endocan Level May Predict No-Reflow Phenomenon During Primary PCI for STEMI

Endocan level was found to be an independent predictor of the no-reflow phenomenon (NRP) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), according to a study published in Angiology.

In this cross-sectional study, 137 consecutive patients with STEMI and symptoms lasting <12 hours who had undergone coronary angiography and pPCI between September 2018 and December 2019 were enrolled. In this cohort, 45 patients had NRP (NRP+ group; median age, 57.1±11.7 years; 64% men), and 92 patients did not have NRP (NRP– group; median age, 54.9 ± 11.4 years; 64% men).

Endocan levels were found to be higher in the NRP+ vs NRP– group (P <.001), and be an independent predictor of NRP (P <.001; odds ratio, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.37-4.15). Endocan levels >2.7 ng/mL had 89.6% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity for predicting the NRP (area under the curve, 0.832; P <.001).

Study limitations include its cross-sectional nature, limited number of patients, and lack of a control group.

“Our results support that endocan is a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation during acute thrombotic events,” noted the study authors. “Endocan may be a treatment target (or an indicator of reflow) after pPCI.”

Reference

Dogdus M, Yenercag M, Ozyasar M, et al. Serum endocan levels predict angiographic no-reflow phenomenon in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary coronary intervention [published online September 30, 2020]. Angiology. doi: 10.1177/0003319720961954