Background and aims: The adhesion molecule P-selectin is expressed by endothelial cells and platelets. It is involved in platelet activation and leukocyte adhesion, both important processes in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Our study was designed to assess the predictive value of soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) on the progression of peripheral atherosclerosis.
Methods: This is an observational, single-center, cohort study that included 443 patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Over a period of 4 years, each patient underwent three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound to assess the plaque volume of the carotid and femoral arteries once per year. In addition, plasma sP-selectin levels were measured at each visit. The association between changes in sP-selectin and peripheral atherosclerotic plaque progression was assessed using growth curve models.
Results: 338 patients were available for statistical analysis. Each standard deviation increase in sP-selectin was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with a 46.09 mm3 higher plaque volume. In ROC-analysis, changes in sP-selectin over time showed an optimal cut-off value around Δ 0.0 µg/mL sP-selectin and significantly improved the predictive value of the ESC-SCORE (AUC for the combination of both parameters was 0.75 (95% CI 0.68-0.81, p < 0.001). Patients with increasing sP-selectin showed a significantly higher plaque progression compared to patients with decreasing or stable sP-selectin levels (202 mm3 vs. 110 mm3, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Increasing sP-selectin levels can predict higher atherosclerotic plaque progression as measured by 3D ultrasound. We suggest serial measurements of sP-selectin as an easily measurable biomarker for peripheral atherosclerotic plaque progression.
Keywords: 3D ultrasonography; P-selectin; atherosclerosis; plaque progression.