Elevated serum sortilin is related to carotid plaque concomitant with calcification

To explore whether elevated serum sortilin was associated with calcified carotid plaque and ischemic stroke. A total of 171 patients with cardiovascular risk factors were enrolled. Ultrasonography was performed to evaluate calcified plaques and noncalcified plaques. Serum sortilin concentration was measured by ELISA. Serum sortilin level was higher in patients with calcified carotid plaque and positively related to carotid plaque burden, but not with ischemic stroke during the follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed serum sortilin level was an independent determinant for calcified carotid plaque (p = 0.001). Receiving operating characteristic analysis showed an area under the curve of sortilin for carotid calcification was 0.759. Higher serum sortilin level was associated with carotid calcification and severe carotid plaque score.