Plaque characteristics and serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein A levels predict the no-reflow phenomenon after percutaneous coronary intervention

ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between serum plasma pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and coronary plaque characteristics, and their prognostic value for coronary no-reflow after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsPatients with unstable angina undergoing PCI were divided into a normal reflow group and a no-reflow group after stent deployment. Coronary blood flow was measured angiographically; plaque components were detected by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound. Serum PAPP-A and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured before PCI. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) was measured before and 24 h after PCI.ResultsA total of 166 patients with unstable angina undergoing PCI were included: normal reflow group (n = 145) and no-reflow group (n = 21), after stent deployment. Baseline coronary blood flow was similar in the two groups. The no-reflow group had plaques with less-fibrotic tissue and a larger necrotic core, more thin-cap fibroatheromas and plaque rupt...