Relationship between serum gamma glutamyltransferase level and carotid artery elasticity in patients with coronary heart disease

Objective To analyze the correlation between serum gamma glutamyltransferase level and carotid artery elasticity. Methods A total of 92 cases (54 males, 38 females) with coronary heart disease (CHD) admitted to department of cardiology in Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to May 2014 were enrolled. All patients were divided into CAP and non-CAP group according to carotid artery plaque, and 40 subjects of non-CHD were severed as controls. The serum levels of GGT, TC, TG, GLU were determined in all subjects. The images of common carotid stored in short axis view were obtained and analyzed by VVI technique. The maximum radial velocity (V_s), maximum tangential strain (S_max), maximum tangential strain rate (SR_max) of each segment of carotid were measured and recorded, and the averages of all segments were taken. Differences of three groups were compared and analyzed. The correlation between serum GGT levels and the elasticity changes in carotid were explored. Results Differences of serum GGT levels were found in three groups (P< 0.05). The segments average V_s, S_max, SR_maxof CAP group were lower than those of non-cap and control group (P< 0.05), and they were lower in non-CAP group than controls (P< 0.05). The serum GGT levels in patients with CHD were correlated with average V_s, S_maxnegatively, with the correlation coefficient of-0.627,-0.478 (P< 0.01). Conclusion The negative correlation between serum GGT level and elasticity mechanical changes of carotid artery is found in patients with CHD. Serum GGT level combined with carotid VVI detection has guiding significance in early diagnosis and severity assessment of cardiovascular disease.