Relationship of fetuin-A with restenosis in patients who underwent revascularization

We investigated whether fetuin-A (a hepatic secretory protein that prevents arterial calcification) was related to revascularization in patients who had previously undergone coronary revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention and/or coronary artery bypass grafting operation). This study included 71 patients who had previously undergone any revascularization procedure. All patients presented to the cardiology outpatient clinic with angina or angina equivalent and underwent coronary angiography upon findings of preliminary tests. The patients were grouped on the basis of the presence of restenosis on angiography: Group 1 consisted of 44 subjects with restenosis on angiography (30 male, 14 female; mean age 64.2±4.2 years) and group 2; 30 subjects without restenosis on angiography (20 male, 10 female; 61.2±13.1 years). In addition to routine biochemical tests and lipid panel, all patients underwent C-reactive protein, and fetuin-A measurements. The groups were not significantly different with respect to age, sex, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. As compared to Group 2, Group 1 had a significantly lower fetuin-A level (383.8±76.2 vs. 416.3±49.3 ng/mL; p=0.029). There was a significantly negative correlation between fetuin-A and age; and a significantly positive correlation between fetuin-A and calcium. Fetuin-A levels were significantly lower in patients detected to have restenosis. Lower fetuin-A levels may contribute to restenosis by directly increasing calcium-phosphate precipitation.