Unstable coronary plaque characteristics are associated with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and N-terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide

Background: Unstable plaque characteristics on coronary CT angiography (CTA), serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations are associated with cardiovascular events.

Objective: To investigate the association between coronary CTA defined quantifiable plaque characteristics, hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP.

Methods: 81 consecutive stable chest pain patients with an intermediate-to-high risk were analyzed. Coronary CTA was performed using a 64-slice multidetector-row CT-scanner. Total coronary plaque volume, calcified volume, non-calcified volume, plaque burden, remodeling index (RI) and number of plaques were measured using dedicated software. A total plaque score ("Sum plaque score") incorporating total plaque volume, RI, plaque burden and number of plaques was defined. Hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP concentrations were measured in serum samples before coronary CTA.

Results: Univariate regression analysis demonstrated significant associations of hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP with total plaque volume (r hs-cTnT = .256; r NT-proBNP = .270), calcified volume (r hs-cTnT = .344; r NT-proBNP = .344), RI (r hs-cTnT = .335; r NT-proBNP = .342) and number of plaques (r hs-cTnT = .355; r NT-proBNP = .301) (all P values ≤ .021). Non-calcified plaque volume showed no association with hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP (r hs-cTnT = .050; r NT-proBNP = .087; P value = .660 and P value = .442). The "Sum plaque score" showed the highest correlation compared to other plaque parameters (r hs-cTnT = .362; r NT-proBNP = .409; P value = .001 and P value ≤ .001).

Conclusion: Our data suggest that coronary plaque morphology parameters, derived by dedicated software, are associated with serum hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP concentrations.