Potential of Circulating Proangiogenic MicroRNAs for Predicting Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events in Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease Patients Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Abstract

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study aimed to explore the association of 14 proangiogenic microRNAs (miRNAs) with major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) occurrence in unprotected left main coronary artery disease (ULMCAD) patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 196 ULMCAD patients who underwent first ever CABG were recruited. The peripheral blood samples were collected prior to CABG, and then plasma samples were separated to detect expressions of 14 proangiogenic miRNAs by the reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Patients were regularly followed up to MACCE occurrence or 36 months after CABG. <b><i>Results:</i></b> MACCE occurrence at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years was 7.1, 11.2, and 14.3%, respectively, and accumulating MACCE occurrence time was 32.7 (95% confidence interval: 31.5–33.9) months. Both Kaplan-Meier curves and univariate Cox’s regression analyses displayed that miR-let-7f, miR-19a, miR-126, miR-130a, and miR-378 high expressions were associated with lower accumulating MACCE occurrence. Furthermore, forward stepwise multivariate Cox’s regression disclosed that miR-let-7f high expression and miR-378 high expression independently predicted decreased accumulating MACCE occurrence, whereas BMI (&#x3e;25.0 kg/m²), diabetes, previous stroke, and higher disease extent were independent predictive factors for elevated accumulating MACCE occurrence. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Measurement of circulating proangiogenic miRNAs especially miR-let-7f, miR-19a, miR-126, miR-130a, and miR-378 helps predict MACCE risk in ULMCAD patients who underwent CABG.