Clinical outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome and outward remodeling is associated with a predominant inflammatory response

BACKGROUND: Pro-inflammatory molecules and low-density lipoproteins play essential roles in the atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to establish an association among the cytokines secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the serum concentration in patients with unstable angina and coronary outward remodeling before and after percutaneous coronary intervention. The clinical and coronary responses were evaluated 6 months after the procedure. FINDINGS: Twenty-two patients with unstable angina were evaluated prior to after percutaneous coronary intervention and 6 months after procedure by coronary intravascular ultrasound. Eleven of the patients had recurrent angina, while 9 presented restenosis and an increase in the percentage of total plaque area. These 11 patients displayed higher levels of C-reactive protein than those without coronary events (1.27 vs. 0.43 mg/dl, respectively; p = 0.029) and a tendency to increase levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and transforming growth factor-β1, but lower levels of IL-10 (52.09 vs. 141.5 pg/ml, respectively; p = 0.035). Activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with restenosis presented higher levels of proliferation, CD86 expression and higher IL-1, and increased IL-10 compared to those in patients without restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with unstable angina and coronary outward remodeling who displayed a pro-inflammatory response experienced recurrent coronary events and an increased percentage of total plaque area. In contrast, better outcomes were observed in patients with anti-inflammatory responses. This response could be secondary to low-density lipoproteins.