Description

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide based on WHO' s latest review in 2019 with CAD being responsible for the 16% of them. The main feature of coronary artery disease is the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque in the epicardial arteries whether obstructive or non-obstructive. CAD is further subclassified into Chronic Coronary Syndrome (CCS) and Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Patients with CCS experience long and stable periods of myocardial ischemia. However, in the case of a plaque rapture these patients can turn into ACS patients. The objective of this study is to predict that sudden shifting of patients from CCS to ACS by associating the role of inflammation and its factors with cardiovascular events. In particular, it focuses on mast cell (MC) tryptase which provokes plaque instability in patients with CCS. Mast cells needs to be activated to release tryptase and their activation mechanism seems to be the bridging point between tryptase and coronary artery disease. Previous studies have shown that IgE levels, which is the most potent activator of MC, are found high in hyperlipidemic patients. In addition, oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) is another MC activator.

In reference to the fact that there might be a correlation between tryptase and coronary plaque instability in patients with chronic coronary syndrome, the investigator propose an interventional study for the role of tryptase as a prognostic biomarker in patients with CCS by studying a large population of Greek subjects with CCS.

The study will be conducted on 2 patient population:

1. Patients without coronary artery disease (estimated stenosis <70%) - Control group
2. Patients with coronary artery disease (estimated stenosis >70%) - CAD group