Why the study?
Although studies have reported links between serum calcium or albumin and acute coronary syndromes, their relationship and the calcium/albumin ratio with the extent and severity of atherosclerosis remained to be clarified.
The calcium/albumin ratio is positively correlated with coronary atherosclerotic burden as measured by the SYNTAX score in patients with NSTEMI.
Aim: Numerous studies have reported a relationship between serum calcium or albumin levels and acute coronary syndromes and coronary artery disease. The present study investigated the relation between serum albumin, calcium or albumin-corrected calcium levels or calcium/albumin ratio (CAR) and extensiveness and severity of atherosclerosis. Methods: This prospective study included patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI, n=120) and a control group (n=109). We used the SYNTAX score to evaluate the association between CAR and severity and extent of coronary artery disease. Results: There were higher, but statistically nonsignificant, levels of calcium in patients with NSTEMI (p=0.058). However, serum albumin-corrected calcium levels were significantly higher in NSTEMI group (p=0.001). Yet, albumin levels did not differ between the groups (p=0.093). CAR and corrected calcium–albumin ratio (cCAR) were significantly higher in NSTEMI group (p=0.001). A positive correlation existed between CAR (r=0.235, p=0.010), cCAR (r=0.259, p=0.004), and SYNTAX score, whereas albumin and SYNTAX score (r=−0.259, p=0.004) showed a negative correlation. Conclusion: Calcium/albumin ratio has been found to be associated with an increased coronary atherosclerotic burden as calculated by SYNTAX score. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Alsancak et al. (2018) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: