Baseline serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level predicts long-term prognosis after coronary revascularizations in stable coronary artery disease

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether baseline serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) could predict long-term prognosis of coronary revascularizations. Designs and methods: Ninety-one consecutive patients receiving coronary revascularizations (58 percutaneous coronary interventions and 33 coronary artery bypass graft surgeries) for stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied. Baseline serum levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), MMP-2, -3 and -9 drawn before revascularization were correlated to the clinical adverse events within > 12 months after revascularizations. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. There were total 22 major adverse cardiovascular events during a mean period of 27 months. Only baseline serum MMP-9 level independently predicted future cardiovascular events after coronary revascularization either by multivariate analysis (relative risk 3.18, p = 0.028) or by Kaplan-Meier analysis (p = 0.021). Conclusions: Baseline serum MMP-9 level predicted the prognosis after coronary revascularizations, suggesting its potential role in risk stratification before revascularization strategies for stable CAD.