Abstract
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the prognostic performance of ST2 with respect to cardiovascular death (CVD) and heart failure (HF) in patients with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) in a large multinational trial.
BACKGROUND
Myocytes that are subjected to mechanical stress secrete ST2, a soluble interleukin-1 receptor family member that is associated with HF after STE-ACS.
METHODS
We measured ST2 with a high-sensitivity assay in all available baseline samples (N = 4426) in patients enrolled in the Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in the Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 36 (MERLIN-TIMI 36), a placebo-controlled trial of ranolazine in NSTE-ACS. All events, including cardiovascular death and new or worsening HF, were adjudicated by an independent events committee.
RESULTS
Patients with ST2 concentrations in the top quartile (>35 μg/L) were more likely to be older and male and have diabetes and renal dysfunction. ST2 was only weakly correlated with troponin and B-type natriuretic peptide. High ST2 was associated with increased risk for CVD/HF at 30 days (6.6% vs 1.6%, P < 0.0001) and 1 year (12.2% vs 5.2%, P < 0.0001). The risk associated with ST2 was significant after adjustment for clinical covariates and biomarkers (adjusted hazard ratio CVD/HF 1.90, 95% CI 1.15–3.13 at 30 days, P = 0.012; 1.51, 95% CI 1.15–1.98 at 1 year, P = 0.003), with a significant integrated discrimination improvement (P < 0.0001). No significant interaction was found between ST2 and ranolazine (Pinteraction = 0.15).
CONCLUSIONS
ST2 correlates weakly with biomarkers of acute injury and hemodynamic stress but is strongly associated with the risk of HF after NSTE-ACS. This biomarker and related pathway merit further investigation as potential therapeutic targets for patients with ACS at risk for cardiac remodeling.
Letter by Ayalloore and LeLorier Regarding Article, “Relationship Between Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia After Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome and Sudden Cardiac Death: Observations From the Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 36 (MERLIN-TIMI 36) Randomized Controlled Trial”
