Ceramide Levels May Effectively Predict CV Events and Mortality
A blood test that detects ceramide levels might be effective at predicting cardiovascular-related events and death in patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a new study.
The study, which was presented at the American College of Cardiology 66th Annual Scientific Sessions, assessed the measurements of plasma concentration of ceramide and the risk of cardiovascular events and death in a validation cohort of 499 patients referred for coronary angiography. Patients were followed for a median 5.9 years for incidences of myocardial infarction (MI), revascularization, stroke, or mortality.
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The researchers defined CAD as 50% stenosis in one or more coronary artery. Participants were assigned a ceramide risk score based on their Cer(16:0), Cer(18:0), and Cer(24:1) and assigned a ratio to Cer(24:0). Based on these scores, participants were grouped into 4 risk categories. Patients with a score of 0 to 2 were categorized as having low risk, a score of 3 to 6 as having intermediate risk, a score of 7 to 9 as having moderate risk, and a score of 10 to 12 as having high risk.
The researchers’ findings showed that ceramides were significantly associated with cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) levels.
Overall, 191 patients (5.1%) experienced a major cardiovascular event, and cardiovascular events were significantly higher among patients with elevated ceramide scores.
After adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, and more, the risk for a cardiovascular event remained significantly high in patients with a score of 10 to 12.
In addition, the researchers found that patients with a score of 10 to 12 who did not have CAD or who had LDL-C levels below 100 mg/dL had a significantly high risk for a cardiovascular event.
“Our data expand the utility of ceramides to predictors of cardiovascular events among patients with low LDL-C and those without significant coronary stenosis,” the researchers wrote.
—Melissa Weiss
Reference:
Meeusen J, Donato L, Bryant S, Spears G, Baudhuin L, Jaffe A. Plasma ceramide concentrations predict risk of cardiovascular events. Presented at: American College of Cardiology 66th Annual Scientific Session and Exposition; March 17-19, 2017; Washington, D.C. http://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/4223/presentation/35439.