6533b7d3fe1ef96bd125ff54

RESEARCH PRODUCT

High-Sensitivity Procalcitonin (hs-PCT): A Marker for Identification of Arteriosclerosis and Myocardial Infarction?

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Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a protein hormone induced by bacterial inflammation that serves as a marker of sepsis. C-reactive protein (CRP) is also known to be a marker of inflammation and, in low concentrations, a prognostic marker for latent or early arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is considered as an inflammatory process that begins in the wall of an artery. In addition to CRP, the concentration of other markers of inflammation increases in the presence of arteriosclerosis. Methods: To determine if PCT is among these markers, the serum concentration of PCT was quantified in blood samples from healthy individuals (n = 410) and at admission in 774 patients, 92 with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), 5 with an arteriosclerosis of the aorta, and 677 with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including coronary heart disease (n = 480), chronic ischemic myocardial disease (n = 89), acute myocardial infarction (AMI; n = 81), or prior AMI (n = 27). Results: In the cohort of healthy individuals, the PCT concentration corresponding to the 99th percentile value was 0.09 ng/mL. In our cohort of ACS patients, serum PCT concentration was >0.5 ng/mL in ~66% of these patients and >2.0 ng/mL in the remaining ~33% of these patients. Conclusion: These findings suggest that PCT may be a new marker for the early detection of an ACS.