The importance of gamma-glutamyltransferase activity in patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract

Background: In this study, we sought to investigate the relation of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels with the significance of coronary artery disease (CAD), clinical presentation, left ventricular (LV) function, and inflammatory activity. Methods: A total of 235 patients (mean age: 60.1 ± 10.5 years, 166 [70%] males) who had coronary angiography were included in the study. Patients who had CAD constituted the study group (Group 1, n = 189) and patients who had insignificant coronary disease or normal coronary activity constituted the control group (Group 2, n = 46). Results: GGT levels were higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (38.7 ± 30.9 U/L versus 27.5 ± 17.5 U/L, p = 0.025). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower in Group 1 than Group 2 (52.6%±11.7% versus 58.8%±11.3%, p<0.002). GGT activity (40.2±32.5 U/L versus 29.1 ±18.3 U/L, p<0.002) and c-reactive protein (CRP) levels (33.9 ± 43.6 mg/dl versus 17.8 ± 29.8 mg/dl, p<0.002) were higher, LVEF (52.6%±12.1% versus 56.5%±11.0%, p =0.021) was lower in patients with acute coronary syndrome compared with stable CAD group. In regression analysis, CRP levels (p<0.0001, odds ratio [OR] = 3.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10