Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the utility of oral fluids for assessment of coronary and cardiovascular (CV) health. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-nine patients with preexisting CV disease underwent an invasive cardiac procedure (alcohol septal ablation or percutaneous coronary intervention) and provided unstimulated whole saliva (UWS), sublingual swabs (LS), gingival swabs (GS) and serum at 0, 8, 16, 24, and 48 hours. Concentrations of 13 relevant biomarkers were determined and correlated with levels in serum and the oral fluids. RESULTS: Concentrations of the majority of biomarkers were higher in UWS than in LS and GS. Coronary and CV disease biomarkers in UWS correlated better with serum than with LS and GS based on group status and measures of time effect. Seven biomarkers demonstrated time effect changes consistent with serum biomarkers, including C-reactive protein and troponin I. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in serum biomarker profiles are reflected in oral fluids suggesting that oral fluid biomarkers could aid in the assessment of cardiac ischemia/necrosis.