Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and high sensitivity C – reactive protein (hs-CRP) in coronary artery ectasia

The specific causative mechanisms of abnormal luminar dilatation in coronary artery ectasia (CAE) are essentially unknown. Destruction of extracellular matrix may be responsible for the ectasia formation. Thus, we investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP9), and inflammatory marker (high-sensitive C-reactive protein) in CAE patients. Methods: This study consisted of 30 consecutive CAE patients, 30 obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, and 20 controls with normal coronary arteries undergoing cardiac catheterization. Plasma levels of MMP-9, and hs-CRP were measured. Results: Hs-CRP level was significantly higher in the CAE group than both in CAD and control groups (2.3 ± 0.5, 1.19 ± 0.54, 0.8 ± 0.3 mg/l, respectively , both p<0.001), while , MMP-9 level was significantly higher in both CAE group and CAD than control groups (27.71 ± 4.7, 25.2 ± 4.1 , 18.6 ± 3.3 ng/ml, respectively , both p