Serum Endocan Levels Predict Angiographic No-Reflow Phenomenon in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Coronary Intervention

Abstract

No-reflow phenomenon (NRP) is an important problem in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Endocan is synthesized and secreted by activated vascular endothelium, and it has been shown to be related to endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between endocan levels and NRP. Consecutive patients (n = 137) with STEMI who had undergone coronary angiography and pPCI were enrolled into the study. The clinical characteristics of the patients were obtained and endocan levels were measured. Endocan levels were significantly higher in the NRP (+) group compared with the NRP (−) group ( P < .001). In multivariate analysis, endocan ( P < .001, OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.37-4.15) was found to be an independent predictor of NRP. An endocan value of >2.7 ng/mL has 89.6% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity for the prediction of the NRP (area under the curve: 0.832, P < .001). The present study demonstrated that the endocan level is an independent predictor of the NRP in patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI. Endocan levels may be helpful in detecting patients with a higher risk of insufficient myocardial perfusion and worse clinical outcome.