Serum YKL-40 positively correlates with MMP-9 and CRP in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction following emergency treatment

Elevated YKL-40 levels positively correlate with CRP and MMP-9 levels and are associated with clinical outcomes including MACE and 6-month survival in STEMI patients.

This prospective study included 358 STEMI patients who were sent to the Emergency Department of our hospital from April 2014 to December 2017. Serum levels of YKL-40, CRP and MMP-9 were determined using commercially available Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and overall survival time were analyzed.

To investigate the role of YKL-40 in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and its relationship to C-reactive protein (CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9).

GRACE scores (P < .001) and the levels of YKL-40 (P < .001), MMP-9 (P < .001), and CRP (P < .001) were significantly higher in deceased patients compared to those that survived. The levels of CRP (P = .007) and MMP-9 (P = .022) were significantly higher in the high YKL-40 group. The GRACE scores were also significantly elevated (P = .011, 95% CI 2.1 (-9.7 to -1.3)). Cumulative MACE rates and cardiac death rates were significantly higher in the high YKL-40 group (P < .001, 95% CI 3.9 (1.9-8.2)). Overall survival times were significantly longer in patients with lower YKL-40 levels (P < .0001).