Ischemic Modified Albumin Predicts Critical Coronary Artery Disease in Unstable Angina Pectoris and Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: In this study, whether ischemia modified albumin (IMA) has a role in showing severity or criticality of coronary arteries in patients with unstable angina pectoris (USAP)/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was assessed. METHODS: A total of 65 patients (40 male (M) and 25 female (F) patients; mean age 59.7 ± 12.1 years) with the initial diagnosis of USAP/NSTEMI were included in this study. The levels of IMA, troponin T, creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), C-reactive protein (CRP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), creatinine, lipid panel, and whole blood count were measured from venous blood obtained from each patient within 3 h after the onset of symptoms. A 50% or greater coronary lumen stenosis of any coronary vessel or lateral branch was considered as critical stenosis. The severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) was assessed using the Gensini scoring system. RESULTS: IMA was significantly higher in patients with critical coronary artery stenosis (median, 206 vs. 23; P < 0.001). There was a weak correlation between the Gensini score and IMA; whereas there was a moderate correlation between the Gensini score and BNP levels (r = 0.44, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The level of IMA can predict the criticality of CAD; however, it cannot predict the severity of CAD according to Gensini score in patients with USAP/NSTEMI.